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.

I spend about eight months researching and outlining my book.

The best way to learn about writing is to study the work of other writers you admire.

People with children and people with their own business always pick up a ringing phone.

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

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.

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