I live in a rural part of Virginia surrounded by farms and farmers.

she's never forgotten, either, how a mystery caught in the hand could lose its grace

I don't *ever* write about real people. Art is supposed to be better than that. If you want a slice of life, look out the window.

This story about good food begins in a quick-stop convenience market.

I know I'm a rare person, a trained scientist who writes fiction, because so few contemporary novelists engage with science.

Patriotism threatens free speech with death. It is infuriated by thoughtful hesitation, constructive criticism of our leaders and pleas for peace. It despises people of foreign birth. It has specifically blamed homosexuals, feminists and the American Civil Liberties Union. In other words, the American flag stands for intimidation, censorship, violence, bigotry, sexism, homophobia and shoving the Constitution through a paper shredder. Whom are we calling terrorists here?

I had decided early on that if I couldn’t dress elegant, I’d dress memorable.