I like to create imaginary characters and events around a real historical situation. I want readers to feel: OK, this probably didn't happen, but it might have.

We all now tell stories by cutting from one dramatic scene to the next, whereas Victorian novelists felt free to write long passages of undramatic summary.

Having faith in God did not mean sitting back and doing nothing. It meant believing you would find success if you did your best honestly and energetically.

The degradation to which you subject others comes back, sooner or later, to haunt you.

After a certain point, most people, including editors, will tell you everything you do is great.

She wanted to say 'I love you like a thunderstorm, like a lion, like a helpless rage'.

It's great that in the German language I've sold almost 30 million books. Isn't that amazing?