I write because I want more than one life; I insist on a wider selection. It’s greed, plain and simple. When my characters join the circus, I’m joining the circus. Although I’m happily married, I spent a great deal of time mentally living with incompatible husbands.

Once upon a time, there was a woman who discovered she had turned into the wrong person.

It's true that writing is a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much companionship a group of imaginary characters can offer once you get to know them.

Bravest thing about people is how they go on loving mortal beings after finding out there's such a thing as dying.

For my own family, I would always choose the makeshift, surrogate family formed by various characters unrelated by blood.

... everyone must play his role.

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.