Jeff Kinney

Feature Cover Story
through my own kids. I don’t necessarily draw
ideas directly from them, but I do take in
inspiration from the world that they’re living in.”
In addition to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books,
Kinney created Poptropica, a video game that
offers a virtual world for children to play in.
Where others might see books and video
games as competing mediums for children’s
attention, Kinney sees congruity. “What they
share is storytelling,” he says. “Both a book
and a video game are only as good as the story
behind them.”
Kinney is also busy with An Unlikely Story, a
bookstore he and his wife, Julie recently opened in
their adopted hometown of Plainville, Massachusetts.
“A bookstore is an unusual choice, but the demand is
suggesting that there was a really big need for it in the
region,” he says. “We’re in a good location. We seem to
have found that sweet spot. Now, the store feels like
an integral part of the community. It already feels like
it’s been a part of the town forever.”
“I didn’t set out to write for children,
but now I think that it’s meant to be.
I think it’s because I like the same things
that kids like. I like junk food. I like sports.
I really like jokes. I’m basically just a kid
at heart.”
Looking ahead at future book projects, Kinney says
he would like to branch out someday and write
something other than the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
“Whatever I write, I’m guessing that it will be for kids.
I didn’t set out to write for children, but now I think
that it’s meant to be. I think it’s because I like the same
things that kids like. I like junk food. I like sports. I
really like jokes. I’m basically just a kid at heart.”
For more information about Jeff Kinney and his
books, visit www.wimpykid.com. •
6 StoryMonstersInk.com | NOVEMBER 2015 | Story Monsters Ink