I love the world the Lord has created; I love the mountains, the rivers, the valleys, the skies. I love the forests, the fields, the flowers. I love the mysteries of evolution and dna and the big bang. I want to know the majesties of the Lord's Creation. I cannot close my eyes to all this. I cannot turn away from science and scientific exploration.

An evil for these times destined to move through the world in handsome human guise.

Obsession led me to write. It's been that way with every book I've ever written. I become completely consumed by a theme, by characters, by a desire to meet a challenge.

-You are on the verge of being truly mad. -No, not at all. Look at me. I can tie my shoelaces. See?

I claim Dickens as a mentor. He's my teacher. He's one of my driving forces.

I will be the Vampire Lestat for all to see. A symbol, a freak of nature - something loved, something despised all of those things. I tell you I can't give it up. I can't miss. And quite frankly I am not in the least afraid." - Lestat, The Vampire Lestat, p. 532

I read The Old Curiosity Shop before I began Blackwood Farm. I was amazed at the utter madness in that book.