‘Really Was Afraid’: ‘Goosebumps’ Author Says of Childhood

R.L. Stine, the author behind the “Goosebumps” book series, admitted he “really was afraid” while growing up.

Stine, 80, admitted to People magazine during an interview regarding the release of his first non-fiction book, “There’s Something Strange About My Brain,” that it “was a terrible way to grow up.” In his newly released book, Stine shared writing tips with readers and what he’s learned about what being a writer means to him.

Stine also provided aspiring authors with 💡Advice on how they can get to know their audience and how they can make their protagonist seem more relatable.

“I really was afraid of a lot of things, and very shy,” Stine told the outlet. “I think that’s why I stayed in my room writing all the time.”

Stine explained to the outlet how he remembered a “coffin-shaped” freezer in the basement of his family’s home and how he was afraid of it.

He turned to writing to handle his fears as well as entertain others.

“I think that I’ve written over 300 📚Books, not a single word from my heart,” Stine said. “It’s all written to entertain people. Writing what I know would be very boring.”

The author explained how he remembered the “feeling of panic” and brought it out in his books