I think I was born with the impression that what happened in books was much more reasonable, and interesting, and real, in some ways, than what happened in life.

She was good at talking with young people. She seemed to view them as interesting foreigners.

I wonder how many times we dream that kind of dream-something strange and illogical-and fail to realize God is trying to tell us something.

I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance - much more than will ever appear in the novel. I think this is what lifts a book from that early calculated, artificial stage.

Reading any piece of writing aloud is an acid test, particularly when it comes to dialogue. There were writers I'd always admired who suddenly rang false when I spoke their words in our living room.

I didn't really choose to write; I more or less fell into it.

My family can always tell when I'm well into a novel because the meals get very crummy.