I don't really get romance. Bring me fish or moose, not flowers.

We have good people. We have selfless people. We have great leaders.

I do get flak for the lack of romance in my stories.

Writing about your community is difficult for any writer.

Dad and Mom were frustrated artists - Dad wanted to study engineering or architecture and Mom wanted to be an actress - but the world was a different place when they were young so Dad became a public works foreman and Mom became a stay-at-home mom. When I said I wanted to be a writer, they were thrilled. They did everything in their power to support me.

We can be the new brand of self-extincting dinosaurs or we can evolve.

The States has more publishers and a wider range of aesthetics but so much more competition - the amount of writers vying for the same spot as you is staggering. I think they're different challenges, but equally frustrating when you're trying to get your foot in the door.