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

The biggest influence on my writing, besides snagging some ideas about black humor, was that the paper mill had a program where they paid 75 percent of the tuition and book [costs] for employees who wanted to go to college part-time.

Unless he had whiskey running through his veins, Willard came to the clearing every morning and evening to talk to God. Arvin didn't know which was worse, the drinking or the praying. As far back as he could remember, it seemed that his father had fought the Devil all the time.

I'm always doubting my work, even when people are kind enough to say good things. I still have a hard time believing I've written some books, let alone that they've actually done pretty well.

Id always been a big reader, and I loved books, and I always thought writing would be a great way to get by in the world.

I sort of like writing about weird characters, I guess.

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