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.

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 liked the challenge of writing in a very concise structure in which both meaning and form are important.

I spend about eight months researching and outlining my book.

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

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.

Robert Rotenberg does for Toronto what Ian Rankin does for Edinburgh.