I like the way words go together and I like the gamesmanship of writing poetry. It is such a challenge.

Trying to write books with a subject matter or in a genre or style you're not familiar with is the best way to find the Big Block looming.

I was editor of my high school literary magazine and a reporter for the school newspaper.

It means working harder to do the research but I don't really mind - I don't think I have what it takes to chase criminals through back alleys and wade through blood at crime scenes.

Of course, all writers draw upon their personal experiences in describing day-to-day life and human relationships, but I tend to keep my own experiences largely separate from my stories.

Readers are paramount. I live to write books for them.

In other words, the people who populate my books are more than caricatures.