Jeff Kinney, the successful American author behind the popular comic book series “Diary of A Wimpy Kid,” recently discussed the series with Antonio Michael Downing on “The Next Chapter.” The 20th installment, titled “Partypooper,” was just released with a note claiming “over 300 million copies sold.” Kinney humorously clarified that the sticker was added for aesthetic purposes, jokingly admitting they haven’t actually sold that many books.
Kinney described Greg and his family as ordinary yet exaggerated versions of his own family members, including himself as Greg. He emphasized that the characters are flawed, imperfect, and make mistakes, which he finds enjoyable to write about.
Reflecting on the series’ inception in 1998, Kinney shared his initial aspiration to become a newspaper cartoonist like Charles Schulz or Bill Watterson. After facing rejection in the syndication process, he transitioned to a new approach, inspired by his journal entries that resembled the format of the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” books. Over eight years of development, the first book was ready for publication in 2006.
Regarding the consistency of characters over time, Kinney explained his focus on maintaining the look and essence of his creations. He highlighted the importance of keeping characters like Greg unchanged to fulfill the promise of reliability and continuity that cartoons offer to readers.
Kinney’s portrayal of Greg’s emotions and experiences in middle school aims to present a realistic and relatable character rather than an idealized hero. He compared his approach to that of a stand-up comedian, striving to reflect kids’ lives and make readers feel understood and connected through shared experiences.
Reflecting on his childhood, Kinney described himself as an observer rather than a central figure, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences and mistakes to craft the narrative of a “wimpy kid.” He emphasized the value of capturing relatable moments and personal anecdotes to enrich the storytelling.
Overall, Kinney’s journey from aspiring cartoonist to the creator of a beloved children’s series showcases his ability to draw humor and authenticity from his own life, turning everyday mishaps into engaging and enduring stories that resonate with readers of all ages.
