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

Yet [Georgia O'Keeffe ] always stayed true to her vision, and was at times uncompromising in following the path she saw for herself.

Writing a book set in New Mexico was partially a way to express my own love for the state, and partially a way to prudently follow the advice to write what you know.

I am currently in nursing school, so one day I will be both a nurse and a writer.

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

Ivy [Wilkes] does exhibit a certain impatience at the beginning of the book [The Dissemblers]. She doesn't want to wait through years of hard work and insignificance to make her mark on the art world. Part of her growth is in realizing - even embracing - that the process of art is more important than the product or the recognition.

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.