I spend about eight months researching and outlining my book.

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.

You think publishing is tough but the music world is ten times tougher.

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.

But one does not make living writing poetry unless you're a professor, and one frankly doesn't get a lot of girls as a poet.

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.