I was envious of [Vincent] Van Gogh because I could never make a painting that beautiful! (Ridiculous, I know.) That was when the character of Ivy [Wilkes] began to take shape for me.

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.

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

The motivation to paint seems more pure, or at least more personal, when the artist is doing it for herself.

Now I am as big of an [ Georgia] O'Keeffe admirer as Ivy [Wilkes] is, but that came through writing the book.

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.