I think it's crucial to live, play and work passionately. I'm inspired by my husband, my son and the sense of possibility in the world.

A haunting, harrowing punch to the heart, Among the Missing is flat-out brilliant. About the secrets we keep, the lives we are desperate to live, and the chances we miss, it's a psychological dazzler. Truly, one of my favorite books of this year-or any year.

I love rewriting because that is where and how you discover the story. Its like you have this skeleton, and you get to put flesh on it and hair and clothes and really wonderful jewelry.

Open adoption, when it works, is fabulous. But when it goes wrong, it's so traumatizing for everybody.

I was a bookworm who aced every test - until third grade, when my teacher handed out a pop quiz about Jesus and the Apostles.

People love stories. They need stories.

Everyone thinks that a new place or a new identity will jumpstart a new life.