I really hate those books where the murderer turns out to be somebody you never heard of who pops up in the last chapter.

I tend to come up with people more than situations - most of my books start with a character.

I don't make my own schedule - it's constructed around my sons' school schedules.

Listen to advice. You don't know how many writer's conferences I've taught at where at least half the audience fights all the conventions of the field.

I'd like to write a history, maybe of the Reformation.

I really hate those books where the murderer turns out to be somebody you never heard of who pops up in the last chapter.

I was the executive editor on a little magazine called Greek Accent, whose only claim to fame is that its art director went on to be the art director of Discover for many years.