I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block; the problem is idea block. When I find myself frozen-whether I'm working on a brief passage in a novel or brainstorming about an entire book-it's usually because I'm trying to shoehorn an idea into the passage or story where it has no place.

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.

Collins masterfully blends fact and fiction...transcends the historical thriller.

Certainly going back to Sherlock Holmes we have a tradition of forensic science featured in detective stories.

When it comes time to write the book itself I'll shut the lights out, picture the scene I'm about to write then close my eyes and go at it. Yes, I can touch type.

My books are primarily plot driven but the best plot in the world is useless if you don't populate them with characters that readers can care about.

I spend eight months outlining and researching the novel before I begin to write a single word of the prose.