Submitted by Mike Crowley from Gainesville, Florida

Q: Hope you are doing well, please send me an email and let me know how the crime is doing in Miami, last year made a DVD for Court TV on a jewel theif named Paul Mathieson, broke into 42 jewelry stores aropund the country, presently incarcerated in Federal Prison for 20 years..take care

Answered 11/12/08 14:42:34 by author author

A: Hi. Mike, You are so missed in Miami! They don't make detectives like you anymore. I didn't know you were in Gainesville. I think I saw you in the jewel thief story on Court Tv or some other cable network. Would love to get in touch. Need your e-mail address or phone number. Are you still in touch with Bulldog Blake. Many of the best traits in my fictional detectives are based on you guys and your adventures. Take care and get in touch. You may still have my phone number. It's never changed. Best, Edna B. (P.S. Send your e-mail online@miamiherald.com)

Submitted by susan from hollywood

Q: Will you ever go back to writing nonfiction?

Answered 11/12/08 14:35:30 by author author

A: Yes, though I have three new novels planned, my next book may well be a return to non-fiction for the first time in almost two decades. Edna B.

Submitted by Sue from Home

Q: Hi, Jeff! This is Sue Corbett, from the Herald. I'm wondering what other books your fans read. Have you collected any titles from the kids you meet? Are they all fans of Bone, too? Any books that come up again and again?

Answered 11/10/08 12:54:10 by author author

A: Hi Sue! I don't hear much about other books my fans have read. Sometimes I hear about the Dear Dumb Diary series (which is great, by the way!), and sometimes, I hear about Calvin and Hobbes books. Jeff Kinney

Submitted by samiam from home

Q: How could Wimpy Kid have been written for adults?

Answered 11/10/08 12:35:47 by author author

A: I was trying to write it as a nostalgic piece... sort of like an adult looking back on their childhood. Like the Wonder Years :) Jeff Kinney

Submitted by samiam from home

Q: Would you ever write a book for grown ups or are you sticking to kids.

Answered 11/10/08 12:30:42 by author author

A: Yes, I'm hoping to write a book for college grads down the line! I actually intended for Diary of a Wimpy Kid to be for adults, but my publisher had other (better) ideas :) Jeff Kinney

Submitted by Frank's mom from Hollywood

Q: How important is humor in a book for kids? It seems that can be a real draw, but that it would be hard to write.

Answered 11/10/08 12:25:22 by author author

A: I think good humor is hard to write... I certainly struggle myself! I don't think that every kids' book needs to be funny to be engaging, but certainly, a book that is selling itself as humor had better deliver the goods :) Jeff Kinney

Submitted by Liam from home

Q: Sorry! I see you answered my question already, so now I have a new one. What do you do first -- the drawings or the words? Do you have any advice for a kid who is not to good at drawing but who loves comics? I would love to make comics but my drawing stinks.

Answered 11/10/08 12:17:59 by author author

A: I write jokes first, and then write a story around the jokes. I don't think you have to be a good artist to be a good cartoonist... look at me! I think the best cartoons are often poorly drawn. Jeff Kinney

Submitted by cs from coral gables

Q: Do you have kids and if so, what do they like to read? Are they old enough to enjoy "Diary of a Wimpy Kid"?

Answered 11/10/08 12:17:07 by author author

A: Yes, I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old. They're not old enough to read the books yet. I think fourth grade is the youngest age for which I'd recommend my books.

Submitted by Liam from home

Q: This questin is for Jeff Kinney. Were you a wimpy kid? Liam

Answered 11/10/08 12:15:14 by author author

A: Yes, at times! I was somewhat well rounded, but I did have my wimpy moments. I was like Greg in some ways.

Submitted by frank's mom from hollywood

Q: At a time when parents are afraid their kids spend too much time on videogames and not enough with books, do you think there's a way to incorporate both in a kid's life?

Answered 11/10/08 12:14:46 by author author

A: I think the challenge is much greater today, and here's the reason: I think there's some great storytelling in videogames these days. Better than a lot of books, actually. And the kid can be a part of the story in a videogame. My kids are five and three, so I don't have the videogame challenge yet. My plan is to let my kids stay up later if they're reading.