R.L. Stine, the author behind the “Goosebumps” book series, admitted he “really was afraid” while growing up.
Stine, 80, admitted to People magazine during an interview regarding the release of his first non-fiction book, “There’s Something Strange About My Brain,” that it “was a terrible way to grow up.” In his newly released book, Stine shared writing tips with readers and what he’s learned about what being a writer means to him.
Stine also provided aspiring authors with advice on how they can get to know their audience and how they can make their protagonist seem more relatable.
“I really was afraid of a lot of things, and very shy,” Stine told the outlet. “I think that’s why I stayed in my room writing all the time.”
Stine explained to the outlet how he remembered a “coffin-shaped” freezer in the basement of his family’s home and how he was afraid of it.
"Writing isn't hard—it's fun. If you start out thinking writing is hard, it will be hard for you."
— The Authors Guild (@AuthorsGuild) October 31, 2023
Author R.L. Stine on the importance of mindset in writing.https://t.co/UPnLEUpgzw
He turned to writing to handle his fears as well as entertain others.
“I think that I’ve written over 300 books, not a single word from my heart,” Stine said. “It’s all written to entertain people. Writing what I know would be very boring.”
The author explained how he remembered the “feeling of panic” and brought it out in his books.
Stine added that readers between the ages of 7 and 11 are the “best audience” because they “want to do everything” and are “enthusiastic.”
“It’s the last time in their lives they’ll ever be enthusiastic,” the author explained. “They want to read you, they want to know you…they want to do everything.”
The children’s book author continued to share the struggles of writing books for a new generation of children, adding that “cell phones have ruined every plot” and he has to work to find a balance between placing humor and horror in his books.
Stine also adds that his books don’t end with the characters learning anything, “except maybe ‘run.'”
“You don’t learn anything in a ‘Goosebumps’ book,” Stine said. “It’s just for fun. I always say there used to be this rule in children’s publishing that characters in a children’s book always had to learn and grow. I always thought, ‘Why?’ Adults don’t have to read books where people learn and grow. We can read whatever we want. I think kids should have the same right.”