Let’s Talk to the Author of ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’

By Darrin Scheid

Jeff Kinney, the bestselling author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, is back with a spooky new adventure just in time for Halloween!

Scout the Maileagle caught up with him to talk all about his newest book, creepy campfire tales and the fun behind being a master of kid-friendly scares.

SCOUT: What advice would you give Scouts who want to become great campfire storytellers?

JEFF KINNEY: First, be dramatic. Use a low tone of voice so everyone has to lean in and listen closely. Second, practice helps — don’t make things up as you go along.

SCOUT: In Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories 2, readers meet monsters, giant creatures and other spooky characters. How do you keep things from getting too scary?

JK: It’s a big challenge. All horror is really based on common fears that we all have. In the first Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories book, there’s a story called “The Changing” about Rowley turning into a werewolf. But really, it’s about the fear of growing older — the werewolf represents that fear. Every story taps into something people naturally worry about, so sometimes you do have to be a little scary. The trick is finding the balance. But when you realize your fear is normal, it’s not so scary.

SCOUT: What stands out from your Scouting experiences?

JK: As Cubmaster, I loved telling scary stories around the campfire. I remember one about a hunting dog lost in the woods. While I was telling it, another leader was out in the darkness to howl like a beagle at exactly the right moments. I think it made the kids’ hair stand on end! But those oral traditions are what I really love about Scouting. The stories we tell are often stories we heard from someone else.

SCOUT: What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?

JK: C-3PO. My family could only afford the mask, one of those cheap plastic masks that every kid had back then. Then we spray-painted my clothes gold.

SCOUT: What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

JK: A computer programmer, a graphic designer and a cartoonist. And I eventually became all three! A lot of that came from books. We had a bookstore near where I lived, and I could find books about all the things that interested me. If I hadn’t discovered those books, I don’t think I would’ve become the person I am today.