When did christopher paul curtis start writing?

Christopher Paul Curtis started writing in 2008. He is the author of the award-winning novels The Watson's Go to Birmingham-1963 and Bud, Not Buddy, as well as the middle-grade novels Elijah of Buxton, The Mighty Miss Malone, Mr. Chickee's Funny Money, and Vincent and Joe: The Great Big Book of Friendship. His books have received numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Printz Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.