And of course these days I feel like there is a nation of us - displaced southerners and children of the working class. We listen to Steve Earle, Mary J. Blige, and k.d. lang. We devour paperback novels and tell evil mean stories, value stubbornness above patience and a sense of humor more than a college education. We claim our heritage with a full appreciation of how often it has been disdained. And let me promise you, you do not want to make us angry.

Why write stories? To join the conversation.

Life ain't the movies.

Writing is the only way I know to demand justice from an uncaring universe.

And while it is true that I got the best woman in the world, I don't think love saves you.

I'll tell you the secret. When you begin with a character, you want to begin by creating a villain.

I did not begin with craft, I began with strong feelings and worked toward craft.