I knew the basic outline of the novel [The Dissemblers] and would write whatever scene of the book I felt particularly excited about at the time.

One thing that was inspiring to me in my research about [Georgia] O'Keeffe was to learn that in addition to her success she had very hard times, and times when she was frustrated and uninspired.

From beginning to end, the novel [Dissemblers] took about three and a half years to write. I didn't write it chronologically.

Publishing requires a lot of persistence and a fair amount of luck.

At the end, I cobbled scenes all together and smoothed out the transitions as much as possible. Incidentally, I would not recommend this approach to writing a book, and will probably not write that way again!

Does art play a role in the greater good of society, or does it just promote the satisfaction of the artist? I go back and forth on that question.

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.