" In middle school, I started to draw, and my pencil sketches were huge. They were these 4ft by 3ft drawings, and I got a lot of attention for that, so that was very validating. But I didn’t start cartooning until I was in college. "
- Jeff Kinney

The quote describes how Jeff Kinney started drawing pencil sketches during middle school that were unusually large in size—measuring four feet by three feet—and garnered significant attention from others, which was validating for him. However, he didn’t begin creating cartoon art until much later when he was in college.

This statement highlights the importance of early recognition and validation in encouraging artistic pursuits but also underscores how interests can evolve over time. It suggests that while early successes and validations are crucial for building confidence in one's abilities, they do not always dictate a person’s entire career path. Jeff Kinney’s journey shows that personal interests and talents may develop or change as individuals gain more life experience and education. This evolution is natural and often leads to new creative directions that might have been unforeseen at an earlier stage.

Jeff Kinney is the author of this quote, best known for creating the popular "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book series. He started his career with large pencil sketches but later shifted towards cartooning and writing, which became the foundation for his successful literary works that have resonated with millions of readers worldwide.