Somewhere along the line, I realized that I liked telling stories, and I decided that I would try writing. Ten years later, I finally got a book published. It was hard. I had no skills. I knew nothing about the business of getting published. So I had to keep working at it.

Suppose I lay down on the pavement and you run over me a few times with my own car...just for old times.

This is war,' I yelled through the door. Lucky for me,' Morelli said. 'I give good war.

Does your mother know that you're carrying a gun? I'm going to tell her. I'm going to call and tell her right now." Joe Morelli's mom

Transitions are critically important. I want the reader to turn the page without thinking she's turning the page. It must flow seamlessly.

My father was in the kitchen putting a new washer in the kitchen faucet. He looked relieved to see Morelli standing in the hallway. He'd probably prefer I bring home someone useful, like a butcher or a car mechanic, but I guess cops are a step up from undertakers.

Concentrate on doing the job, not the fear.