Sometimes you can't be what you ought to be, you can't have what you ought to have.

The outline is 95 percent of the book. Then I sit down and write, and that's the easy part.

I also try very hard to create characters - both heroes and villains - with psychological depth.

In general, I think, less is more, and that if a reader stops reading because a book is too icky then I've failed in my obligation to the readers.

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

We have years to converse with someone, to blurt and rant, to explain our desires and anger and regrets - and oh how we squander those moments.

Sometimes you can't be what you ought to be, you can't have what you ought to have.