I wasn't interested in the kinds of books that I thought I should be reading.

"Summer Sisters" is probably my least autobiographical book. The whole idea started with rowing down the pond. And I heard an explosion. I don't like sudden loud noises. They scare me. And then all these people came running down the hill and jumped in the water in their finery and a bride and groom was with them, and that's where it all started.

[When I was a kid] I was a surgeon, amputating legs and arms of my paper dolls. And I had a little board with little tacks that I would tack them down to do this.

My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully, and yell for help if you need it.

Isn't that interesting. All the book clubs. I've never belonged to one.

What's the point of thinking about how it's going to end when it's just the beginning?

I like revising much, much better than getting down a first draft. The first draft is just getting the pieces to the puzzle. Then I get to put the puzzle together!