The way this whole novel thing came together was, I sold them one bill of goods and then didn't communicate very well. I am like Captain Run-on Sentence.

My parents told us how they felt but never imposed their beliefs on us, although I appreciate I got a healthy sense of democracy from them.

At 12 I dropped out of school but I had lost interest in it at a much earlier age. For me, school was very very stressful.

I would ask my parents something, but then go to my siblings. We were encouraged to bounce ideas off everyone.

I've always wanted to have a book published - it was a dream of mine, but the thought of actually writing a book made me feel really sick.

I collect things that just look retarded.

I didn't read at all until I was 12. I just couldn't. It was too frustrating.