There seems to be a tremendous desire among many people now to know authors and how they work, to know what's autobiographical and what isn't.

I just like doing it, I like writing.

Somehow we have to detach from feeling as though money is a quick and easy standard by which we can gauge how well we're doing.

Sometimes I write well when I'm very upset.

I actually think it's sometimes easier for the control freaks to let loose.

I find that I get very excited about what my students are up to and that I get to be the hurdle they need to jump over.

I think you have to remember that writing is hard; my first editor used to say that to me.