The Watsons certainly did that for me. If you know what's coming, you have a sense of dread, because you're involved with those people. That's something that surprised me. But it's surprising how few do. There are not many who do.
Funny books tend to be lightweight, or to be perceived that way.
I think I get my sense of humor from my father. He was the president of the Midwest Association of Housing Cooperatives. You say in the afterword to Bud, Not Buddy that two of the book's characters are based on your grandfathers. As I say in the afterword, I feel that I missed a major opportunity when they were around. I think he was the first black person in Illinois to have a pilot's license.