In general, Americans like to be entertained. Canadians seem more suspicious of it.

Fewer publishers mean you have a limited set of aesthetics, so you know who can and can't send your work to. You have more situations where you take the offer or don't get published or you learn to self-publish.

If I have a clear spot in my schedule, I like to tackle the heavy scenes that require the heightened emotion and focus of a long writing session. Otherwise, I have daily obligations that can't be ignored.

I miss smoking (two to four packs a day) but I don't miss the crackle in my lungs when I breathed.

My family is filled with wonderful storytellers. I lack their gift of gab, so it's a relief to be able to write.

Writing about your community is difficult for any writer.

We have good people. We have selfless people. We have great leaders.