But the fact is, I'm not work-identified. I'm not a lawyer or a writer. I'm a mom, and I'm a woman, and that's the kind of people I want to see in books in the starring role.

Ellen had long ago stopped being embarrassed by temper tantrums. She flipped it and wore it like a badge of honor. A temper tantrum was a sign that a mom said no when it counted.

I am really, I think, truly an easygoing, positive, fun person.

The thing about love is that we can't control whether we get it, but we can control whether we give it. And each feels as good as the other. Your heart doesn't know if it's loving a man, a book, or a puppy. If your heart were that smart, it would be your brain.

You can really help support a character if you understand the setting. So for that reason I generally write about Philadelphia.

I am an open book, literally. I don't mind if people know way too much about me.

Let's talk about a decision that women have to make every morning- Big purse or little purse?