I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even narrative passages take on the character's sound. I don't want the reader to be aware of me, writing.

I don't want the reader to be aware of me as the writer.

I'm very much aware in the writing of dialogue, or even in the narrative too, of a rhythm. There has to be a rhythm with it … Interviewers have said, you like jazz, don’t you? Because we can hear it in your writing. And I thought that was a compliment.

Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.

I always felt, you don’t have a good time doin crime, you may as well find a job.

What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he's already been told twice.

To me, a book is a book, an electronic device is not, and love of books was the reason I started writing.