When I went to college I took a creative writing class and decided in a week to be a writer.

The real question is: How do you react? What do you do next? Evade responsibilities? Bury yourself in work? What do you do? All three of my novels take up that question, although none gives an answer.

When it comes time to sit down and write the next book, you're deathly afraid that you're not up to the task. That was certainly the case with me after Snow Falling on Cedars.

Hemingway said the only way to write about a place is to leave it.

I have relaxed into my persona as an author, although I used to fight that.

The best advice on writing I've ever received is to take it seriously, because to do it well is all-consuming.

The strange thing was, he wanted to like everyone. He just couldn't find a way to do it.