Names have power. In certain cultures, just speaking a man's name gives you mastery over him.

There were shadows galore in the dim light, but there was one shadow that did not correspond to any object in the room. It lurked next to the fireplace, a formless, undulating darkness.

An enigma? That's not a bad persona to have. I should probably shut up and let the mystery continue! It's good for my career.

Most people are middle class. Most people do wish their lives were better than they are. And I think by making my main characters ordinary, average guys, it helps readers identify with their problems. It also helps ground the supernatural events that follow in a recognizable reality and perhaps gives some of my wilder scenarios a little verisimilitude.

Murder is an inherently evil act, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how convincing the rationalizations.

If there's any mystery to me at all, it's probably due to the fact that I'm not online and don't go to conventions--which means that I'm probably not as accessible to fans as most writers are these days. If that makes me seem like a weird recluse, so be it.

Life is short. Eternity is long.