Writing a novel in general is like trying to reach a mountain top you'll never quite reach - so you try again and maybe get a little closer.

I am very lucky that I get to tell stories for a living. I love being able to grab people's attention, to keep them turning the pages, to make them stay awake all night. I want to stir the pulse, yes, but also to stir the heart. I hope 'The Woods' does that.

The preparation for building a series of thrillers based on a single character is kind of like the preparation for becoming a parent: The best part is the idea - wink, wink.

Trust is like that. You can break it for a good reason. But it still remains broken.

So basically your plan is to flail about helplessly.

Hope is cruel. Hope reminds me of what almost was. Hope makes the physical ache return.

I try to stress to my children that buying something never leads to true happiness.