My writing process has changed because it's harder to find uninterrupted time.

When well told, a story captured the subtle movement of change. If a novel was a map of a country, a story was the bright silver pin that marked the crossroads.

I always used to be an inside person, and now I'm an outside person.

My novels are very much the same, as I think many people's novels are.

When I wrote nonfiction, my best work was the really personal stuff.

I don't want to stand with somebody's praise. Whereas now when people come up to me, they say, "I love the bookstore" and "Kids! Come here, come here! This is the woman who owns the bookstore." That's incredible. I can say to that, "Thank you for shopping local. Thank you for coming in. What are you reading? Let's talk about books." It's about something I'm doing as opposed to somehow something I am. I feel comfortable and positive in that role. Because it's about reading. It's about books. It's about learning. It's about business and tax base.

Love is a rebellious bird that no one can tame