I don't necessarily start with the beginning of the book. I just start with the part of the story that's most vivid in my imagination and work forward and backward from there.

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth...

Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth...

I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy...

I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy...

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only...

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only...

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but...

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but...

I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.

I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys...

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys...

I don't think children's inner feelings have changed. They still want a mother and father...

I don't think children's inner feelings have changed. They still want a mother and father...

I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do...

Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do...

One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book...

One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book...

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.

I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level...

I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level...

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

We didn't have television in those days, and many people didn't even have radios. My...

We didn't have television in those days, and many people didn't even have radios. My...

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.

People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

Writers are good at plucking out what they need here and there.

Writers are good at plucking out what they need here and there.

With twins, reading aloud to them was the only chance I could get to sit...

With twins, reading aloud to them was the only chance I could get to sit...