My name became a brand and I'd love to say it was the plan from the start. But the only plan was to keep writing books. And I've stuck to that ever since.

I looked at her and tried to speak, but all I could think about was how shocked she'd be if I said what I was thinking.

There are few writers who, if they publish anything, I am going to buy it: Ian McEwan, Scott Turow, Pat Conroy - he was a buddy of mine and I always read his stuff. Also: Harlan Coben, Elmore Leonard, John Le Carre, but he's pushing ninety.

I'm alone and outgunned, scared and inexperienced, but I'm right.

You need some coffee, don't you?" "Yes, I've only had a gallon.

The good thing about writing fiction is that you can get back at people.

In one long glorious acknowledgment of failure, he laid himself bare before God.