I wrote short stories when I was a teenager, but they weren't any good and I kinda knew it.

I did a lot of music criticism. I don't think much of it was any good. I think I wanted to show off a lot when I was younger. Now I just want people to enjoy the story. If it were possible to publish anonymously, that would be awesome.

The South actually has a very strong tradition of activism. The civil rights movement came from down here! It was black activists demanding that their voices be heard. People say these are red states. No they're not!

I think I read too much Arthur Conan Doyle when I was young, and got this idea that a gentleman should know a lot about one thing and plenty about most everything else.

A novel is a performance you have to plan.

I always want to try and see what the appeal is in anything. It's the healthiest and most honest approach.

I wrote short stories when I was a teenager, but they weren't any good and I kinda knew it.