I read letters and journal entries by [Georgia] O'Keeffe (which were infinitely more useful than any critical analysis of her work).

I find that time constraints actually make me more productive, and "real world" experiences provide a lot of inspiration to write.

I've spent many a day worrying that I will never be able to write again!

I was at an art museum with my parents, and was quite taken with a [Vincent] Van Gogh painting. I stood admiring the painting for some time, and then realized that in addition to feeling moved by the beauty of the painting, I felt a little jealous of the painter.

I did take one drawing class in school, but for this book I spent a lot of time talking to painters and asking them silly questions.

This was my first novel [The Dissemblers ]. I've never seriously written short stories, and actually find short stories much more intimidating as an art form than novels.

I started writing about New Mexico in an autobiography class I was taking for school, and realized that it was very inspiring place for me.