Mercy Watson is a pig. She lives with Mr. and Mrs. Watson, who are not pigs. I had that basic premise, but I couldn't make it work. I would come back to it, try it, see that I was failing, and put it aside.

Have you, in truth, ever seen something so heartbreakingly lovely? What are we to make of a world where stars shine bright in the midst of so much darkness and gloom?

There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.

Love!' said the princess. She stamped her foot. 'Why must everyone always speak of love?

I am really an introvert, and I need that time alone for a variety of reasons.

I'm just doing what I've done my whole life, which is talking to people about books and making them read. It's what I do in my friendships. "Here, you have to read this, you have to read this."

As Elmore Leonard says, I write to find out what happens.