Wendelin Van Draanen

How in the world did I wind up writing a book about a kleptomaniacal, talking gecko lizard? I’m the first to admit–talking animals are not my thing. First person, realistic fiction–that’s what I like. And yet, after Sticky appeared as a sidekick television character in my Shredderman series and uttered his first “Holy guaco-tacarole!” I was hooked. He’s so funny. And so full of mischief.
I always develop a backstory for my characters to get to know them. Even if they’re secondary characters, I have to understand their background and motivations before I let them into the story. The premise of the... Read More