I've always thought of myself as an organic writer, rather than a cerebral one. I feel my way along as I go, hoping I'll get to the place I intend to reach.

I'm a neurotic New York Jew by birth. Creating characters is second nature to me.

You can read a dozen different textbooks or how-to manuals that will tell you the basic rules of what makes a story - a beginning, a middle, and an end.

I've never sat down and thought about the difference between plot and theme. To me, that's never been important.

I try to find what makes even the worst, most despicable character sympathetic at his or her core.

When I'm my own editor, there's very little difference between the first draft and the final. I write what feels right to begin with. I rarely make any major changes.

If a story isn't working, I'm simply unable to finish it. That's what usually tells me something is wrong.