Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney at NY Comic Con

There was certainly nothing wimpy about the crowd that turned out to see bestselling author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Jeff Kinney, recently. The New York Comic Convention (called Comic Con) is always packed with thousands of comic book fans, many dressed like their favorite comic book characters. So many came to hear Kinney speak at the convention on February 8, his presentation had to be moved to a bigger room.

"This is the largest crowd I've ever presented to!" said Kinney, who came to Comic Con to release his latest book in the Wimpy series.

Comic Con is a convention dedicated to showcasing new video games, books, comics, and cartoons. It is one of the largest comic conventions in the U.S. This year more than 77,000 people attended!

This convention of all things comic is held in the Jacob Javits Center, a humongous building with transparent glass-like walls supported by giant metal beams. The convention features computers and game systems you can interact with, as well as the creators and characters from your favorite books and comics. However, since it is such a fun place, it is really hard to get into. In fact, tickets for Kids Day, when Kinney launched his book, sold out in an hour!

 It was certainly the perfect place for Kinney to begin his nationwide tour promoting his newest book in the series, “The Last Straw” — especially since he began his career as a cartoonist. In fact, the first “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” began as an online cartoon.

Now popular with kids aged 10-12 Kinney told Scholastic News that his first version of the series was written for adults.

"I wrote it as a reflection on their childhood," he said.

His young fans have made each of the four books top sellers in the U.S. In fact, there are plans to make the first book into a movie soon. Kinney hopes the movie is even funnier than the book. If that is possible, the movie will be hilarious!

Auditions for the main character, Greg Heffley, will be happening soon, so if you think you have what it takes to be the wimpy kid on screen, check out www.iamthewimpykid.com.

What IS a Wimpy Kid?

Interesting words: wimpy and diary. They are not words commonly used by middle school boys. Kinney said he likes the word wimpy because it is a funny word and right away the reader knows Greg, the “wimpy” kid, is not a perfect character.

In the series, Greg's mother buys him a red diary. Greg is quite embarrassed by it, which is why Kinney decided to use that as the book title.

Kinney said none of the characters are based on real people, but some parts of the book are related to real incidents.

"I pull the material from my childhood—funny things other people have done," he said. “Some I just make up.”

If he had to choose, Kinney's favorite character would be Rowley, Greg's best friend. Rowley acts a bit young for his age and is sometimes slow to catch on to what's happening. Readers love him for his honesty.

"He is a pure, good kid," Kinney said.

Both girls and boys relate to the characters and are big fans, even though the main characters are boys.

"I know boys well enough, how they act and behave, so that makes it easier to write a book about a boy, rather than a girl," Kinney said. He includes girls as characters, but he writes about them from Greg's point of view.

During his interview with Scholastic News, Kinney offered some advice from Greg Heffley for kids going into middle school.

"It won't last long; life will get a lot better!" he said. "Try to have fun. Middle school is tough for everyone; luckily it will be quick."

— Matthew S., Kid Reporter

Photos Courtesy of Matthew Spana

Comments

[Comment #26]

i have read all of your books like 50 times each they are awesome!

[Comment #27]

i love all of your books i have read all of them like 50 times! p.s please maybe on your next book could you write in favour of me. your biggest fan.

[Comment #28]

This book is the best book invented

[Comment #29]

We need a book #4 :)

[Comment #30]

o my gosh!!! i love your books. they are very well written and they are the coolest. the 4th book is called Bummer Vacation and it will be so funny for realzies!!!

[Comment #31]

Jeff, I would seriously consider co-authoring a book with Matthew if I were you. He has a wonderful and unique writing style. This is an excellent article, Matthew. Your fifth grade teacher must be very proud of you. Oh yeah, I am your fifth grade teacher!!

[Comment #32]

i love wimpy kid lol

[Comment #33]

Hi Jeff I am your biggest fan. I can't wait for the 4 book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #34]

I love your books it only took me like 2 days to read them!Please make a movie or a fourth book.I also love your website poptropica.I can't wait until the 2 new islands come out!You ROCK!!!!
your #1 fan,
Kasey.K.

[Comment #35]

I love your books !It only took me 2 days to read each of them.Thank you for writting the books and creating poptropica.I can't wait until the 2 new islands come out!Thanks a MILLION!!!!!!!!

[Comment #36]

I adore you your books are so cool! I am a concervitive your books are awesome in your fourth book can you put me in there?! please!?thats so cool your 5th grade teacher wrote you a comment.Keep writting Diary of a Wimpy KId books Please!your #1 fan,
Kasey.K.
(A.K.A)
KoolBean!

[Comment #37]

Hey Jeff I can not wait for the 4th book to come out!!! I have a fealing it's gonna be a Great one!Keep writting cause your a great writter!!!

[Comment #38]

Wasn't it fantastic to meet Jeff Kinney at Comic Con - he is so funny?

[Comment #39]

love the books love that you are macking 2 more books and a movie

[Comment #40]

R U GOING TO MAKE DIARY OF A WIMPY KID #4

[Comment #41]

Diary of a wimpy kid is my #1 book i like i have book 2 but i misplaced book 1 i am gonna get a new one and i am gonna get book 3 4 and 5 soon! cant wait to see them

[Comment #42]

I can not wait for number 4, it is going to be epic ausomeness. if you cant tell, i am a hardcore wimpy kid fan

[Comment #43]

i love your books they are the besy the dog days is my favorite though and when you make another one can you please deticate it to me your biggest fan ryan

[Comment #44]

your books are the best i have all of them.4 is the best i loved it.when is jeff kinney coming to utah?

[Comment #45]

hey i love your books.i read the 3 and 4 books. i am on the first book right now.

[Comment #46]

Hey, Jeff! i love your books!!! i was wondering if you could give me some tips about writing. i really enjoy reading your DIARY OF WIMPY KID books, but i want to learn hw to write as good as you do. You see, i'm doing a reading project on your book DOG DAYS. And reading the book got me interested in becoming an author like you. i have only read your books THE LAST STRAW and DOG DAYS. i think if i read more, i will become a better writer.
SINCERELY,
ABBY
PS: I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE SAYS,I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN :) !!!!!!!!!

[Comment #47]

Hey Jeff i have ALL your books so fare i realy whant the new one dog days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #48]

my friend has dog days weird name

[Comment #49]

Hello, wondering if your gonna read my comment.
Anyway, it's a cool series and provides great entertainment, although it's very short.
I don't usually write this, but your books are AWESOME!

[Comment #50]

I have every Diary of a Wimpy Kid book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They are soooooooooo awesome!!!!!!!!!!I love them!!!!!!!!!!It is past the 4th release so I am waiting for the 5th right now.I just found out it is to be published in fall 2010.Come out soooooner!The movie is 3 months 3 hours 15 minutes and some seconds away!!!Long,but,I can wait.NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!