Though there are still many good people out there in the world, it seems that they're vastly outnumbered by the stupid, selfish, violent ones.

I think my characters - well, at least a few of them - are hoping or searching for some kind of contact with god.

I do believe the world is a pretty sad, troubled, and violent place. Maybe that's why I focus on the trouble. Even though there are good people and good things, there's also a bunch of messed up stuff. And I learned early on, you have to have some trouble in your stories. I definitely go overboard on that, but I have a lot more fun writing about the trouble.

I don't think writing fiction has changed my worldview.

Though there are still many good people out there in the world, it seems that they're vastly outnumbered by the stupid, selfish, violent ones.

When I turned fifty, I decided to quit the mill and go to graduate school.

I've always been a bit of a pessimist in regard to mankind.