The author of the Judy Moody and Stink books, Megan McDonald, was in town in April for the Get Moody with Stink and Judy event. Megan McDonald met with Cammie Moise of MomsMaterial and her daughter Taylor for an interview. Megan was happy to be interviewed by Taylor, the editor of her school's 4th grade newsletter. Below is the article Taylor wrote about her interview.
Before the Get Moody With Stink and Judy event, I got to meet Megan McDonald. Guess what I did? I got to interview her! I was nervous about my first interview, but she made it FUN!
When I mentioned her favorite game, the Game of Life, I asked her if she had played the electronic version. She said, “No, I haven’t but let me show you what I do have.” And she pulled out a miniature Game of Life key chain. I thought, “Whoa, she is obsessed with the Life game!”
I also learned that if you interview someone just remember this… They are people just like you and me, so don’t get all nervous about it. It is someone that got recognized for doing something extraordinary.
Here are some of the questions I asked her:
TM (Taylor Moise): What inspired you to start writing Judy Moody books?
MM (Megan McDonald): Life with my sisters and I thought a “moody” character would be good for kids.
TM: When you started writing Judy Moody books, what made you decide to start writing Stink books?
MM: Boys kept asking me to write a book just about Stink. One time I visited a classroom and boys started chanting, “Stink! Stink! Stink! “ and I knew he had to have his own book.
TM: Out of all your books, who is your favorite character? Why?
MM: Stink, because I am the youngest and he is too.
TM: Is it harder to write from a boy’s perspective?
MM: Yes! But I have a husband to help me out!
TM: What made you decide to write the story about Stink and the Guinea Pig Express?
MM: One time I was reading the newspaper and I saw a story about a lady that was giving out guinea pigs across the state. They had been abandoned and I thought that would make a great story for Stink!
Megan McDonald and I also talked about other things. For instance, she told me she writes every day. If she could tell kids one thing, she said “Read, read, read!” She mentioned that one of the best questions a kid has asked her was, “Do you have to think a lot before you write?” She responded with a yes and mentioned that kids think that she just sits down and writes the story. She said the first time she writes it is like a rough draft and she has to rewrite it many times.
Click here to read related article, Judy Moody and Stink Fans Weather The Storm To Attend The Get Moody With Stink and Judy Event.
Cammie Moise