I craft everything in the beginning. I know where the characters are going before I start writing the book.

I will write my way into another life.

Because of her singing they all went away feeling moved, feeling comforted, feeling, perhaps, the slightest tremors of faith.

From my table inside I watch the glamorous women outside who are lunching on Spa Cobb salads without blue cheese or dressing. The man with the bread basket wanders from table to table, lonesome as a cloud. When he comes to me his basket is full and perfectly arranged. He gives me a smile of sincere pleasure when I tell him I will take both the sourdough roll and the cheese stick.

It was all in my head and now all I had to do was figure out a way to get it down on paper.

If you're trying to find out what's coming next, turn off everything you own that has an OFF switch and listen.

We are taught to be suspicious, especially of anyone who might not look like us or share our beliefs.