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

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

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

I find myself moved by social justice issues. I'm not sure where that will lead me. I'm willing to nurture it.

In general, I'm careful when I'm dealing with subjects of deep cultural importance and write with abandon when I'm dealing with issues of personal dysfunction.

I think the best advice I got was to not worry about what other people would think while you were working on your first draft. Focus on getting it out of your head. You can always edit the manuscript later.

I do get flak for the lack of romance in my stories.