Diary of a Wimpy Kid Creator, Jeff Kinney joins Mumsnet for a Q&A- ANSWERS BACK

[RachelMumsnet]

To celebrate the release of the brand new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book: CABIN FEVER, we're inviting Greg Heffley fans to send in their questions for author Jeff Kinney. When the Q&A closes, we'll send over your questions to Jeff and if your question is one of ten to be answered, you will win a copy of CABIN FEVER.

CABIN FEVER catches up with the Heffley family who are stuck inside when a fierce blizzard hits....the big question being; will they weather the storm?  

If you haven't yet encountered the Wimpy Kid books, they are a mixture of comic-strip and novel and have sold over 50 million copies worldwide, as well as being turned into two feature films. They diarise the hilarious  exploits of goofy student, Greg Heffley, his family and friends. Jeff Kinney began a comic strip whilst at Uni called 'lgdoof' which ran in the campus newspaper. He then spent six years writing the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which was published in daily installments on the educational website, Funbrain.com. In 2008 the diaries were published together as the first book in the series.

If your children are Wimpy Kid fans, send in their questions for Jeff before the end of day on Tuesday 25th October. You don't have to give any details about your child, although their age may be useful. We'll be announcing the winners and linking through to the ten questions and answers on publication date, 16th November. 

[philmassive]

Not so much a question (although I'm sure I'll add one later when ds1 hears about this) but would just like to say a big thank you to Jeff since his wimpy kid books have launched my 8 year old ds1 into the world of proper reading and he's flying along now.

Also he is writing his own diary too, so very pleased and grateful to Jeff

[ZombiesAteYourCervix]

DD2 would like to know if Jeff is really Greg (or vice versa)??

And another thanks - DD2 doesn't read books ever but really likes the Wimpy Kid ones (as do I ).

[nogoodusernamesleft]

These are the only fiction books that DS1 (12) will read - he's normally very reluctant, so a big thanks to Jeff! [hgrin]

I'd like to know if Jeff is planning on creating a new series at all after Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Or if there are any plans for more installments after Cabin Fever is released?

[Finbar]

DS wants to know how you created Fregley...did you know someone like him?
His sayings are legendary in our house:"wanna see my secret freckle?" is a favourite!

[CrossEyed]

My daughter wants to know what kind of pen you used!?!

[gazzalw]

Did the type of happenings that happen to Greg and Co. happen to you as a child or are they random ideas plucked from hyperspace?

[going]

How does it feel being the writer of such a famous series of books and have does it feel that they have been turned into films? Two fans aged 7&10.

[Doobydoo]

DS1[12] Would like to know what inspired you to write these books?
Was it experiences at school that you had?

[Jammygal]

Hi Jeff
This question is from my daughter aged 9

How did you come up with the idea for the 'cheese touch'? ,

Also a huge thank you from me for fishng my daughter into the world of books with your Wimpy Kid Series ;)

[Tenebrist]

My younger daughter is bilingual English-German and loves reading the books in both languages - both 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and the rather more prosaically titled 'Gregs Tagebuch'. You have a lot of fans in Germany! How much input do you have with the foreign language editions of the books, and do you notice any differences between different cultures in how the books are received?

[purpleturtletoise]

DS1 (8) would like to know how long it takes you to produce the comic strips, like Creighton the Cretin and Zoo-wee Mama?

[ChippyMinton]

DS2(9) would like to know if the cheese touch is based on a true event? Are the Heffleys still super-protective of Manny in Cabin Fever? Is Rowley meant to be Fregley's friend?

DS1(10) would like to know where you got the idea for the muddy hand (in Dog Days)? And is Fregley based on a real 'friend' from your childhood?

Your books are notorious and have been banned by the DC's school, because of the use of American English . Well, dur, you are American after all!! We think they are great!

[Yourefired]

Posting on behalf of DD1. Her question is: do you think Greg will ever become rich and famous?

[morethemerrier]

My 11 year old son would like to know, how long does it take to write a book and where do you write them? Do you write in silence or listen to music?

[MrsHeffley]

The Dtwin sons 8 would like to know if the Heffleys are based on your family either your childhood family or your family as a dad now?

Would just like to add my twin boys are addicted to your books,please don't stop writing them. I have 1 twin who was an avid reader a long time again,his brother was more reluctant, that is until he started nicking his brother's Wimpy Kid books.He too is now an avid, broad reader so thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!!!!!

We all love the films too, even dd 6.Were you pleased with how they were done?I identify a lot with Mrs Heffley(hence the name),she just has to be based on a real person(your wife perhaps).Dp and I actually want to adopt Rowley,where did you find the kid in the film,he's perfect casting.

When is the next film coming out?

[prettybird]

Ds (11) wants to know what inspired you to draw the picture of Greg.

(By the way - the last two birthday cakes I was asked to bake for him were Diary of a Wimpy Kid ones - can be seen on my profile. At least they were a lot easier than Daleks/a Tardis )

[Lilyloo]

DS 9 absolutely loves your books he would like to know 'What is your favourite book to date from the series ? '
He would like to add his is Dog Days as it the funniest. He is very excited about the new release.

[posey]

Ds was so star struck at the news that Jeff Kinney was to be a guest of mumsnet that he couldn't think straight at all and the only question he could come up with was "how old are you?" to which dd (oh so cool 14 year old) said "derrrr, you can find that on the Internet. You need to ask a proper question" [mutter mutter eyes rolling]
Anyway ds, undeterred, since I told him he's got a while yet to think of a great question, has gone off to bed with the purple book and a smile on his face

[andybat]

From DS (8) On The Diary Of A Wimpy Kid website, you said that Zoo Wee Mama can mean whatever you want it to mean. I think it means "oh doughnuts!" What do you want it to mean??

[MmeBucket]

DS (8) saw this and had a massive giggle fit and wanted to ask if he could have your autograph. His question was how did you learn to draw cartoons so well. (He's very into drawing, but not that great at it.) DD (6) wanted to know which one of your books is your favorite. (I told them we're in the US and wouldn't be able to do this, but they looked so sad I told them I would ask anyway.)

[Bugsy2]

DS (12) is autistic spectrum & has dyslexia & yours are the only books he has willingly read by himself from cover to cover. Why do you think your books are so appealling to boys particularly?
PS: thank you so much for writing them & for having the films made. They have made all of my family laugh so much.

[CatalaFCB2]

Hiya Jeff!

What was the first fan-mail you got sent and how were your feelings?

Many thanks for The Ugly Truth.

[mariamagdalena]

Questions pending but first I wanted to say thank you so much. Like Bugsy2, my DS has an autistic spectrum disorder, and your books have opened up fiction to him. The confusing world of other people's minds is becoming something he wants to investigate, rather than ignore.

I don't know if it's the cartoons, the humour, the characters, the way things are explained... whatever the magic ingredient is, please keep writing!

[TheFoosa]

my dd wants to know

which book that you have written do you think is the best?

[WhoIsThatMaskedWoman]

These are the only story books DS (7) will read ATM - he and DD (9) fight over them constantly. He'd like to ask what made him want to write such brilliant books? And what makes a book a classic?
She'd like to ask which character Jeff would like to be - she'd like to be Holly Hills (sp?) "because she's really pretty". And how many books will there be?