There's always things that you know about that nobody else, because everybody's life is different. So you write about what you know. That's number one.

Authors change publishers because it's like being married for a long time and suddenly you want to go out and have a wild affair! No, not seriously, sometimes the deal is more interesting with a new publisher, and other times they have more enthusiasm for your books.

I write about the American dream: if you set your mind to do something, you can do it. My fans know they're getting the real thing.

I think I'm a born storyteller. Inspiration is all around me. I can read a newspaper article and come up with an idea for a book.

Love does not appear with any warning signs. You fall into it as if pushed from a high diving board.

Do not copy my style! The first rule of writing is write about what you know, not what you think you know. So, think about what you've done in your life and write about that.

Agents are essential, because publishers will not read unsolicited manuscripts.