By using novels, I show ordinary kids confronting and overcoming great odds.

I wanted to write about the third world and had the opportunity to go live in the trenches, so to speak.

If it's possible to send a message from heaven, I'll get one to you.

I wrote the book Don't Die, My Love as I was going through radiation, so it certainly has an air of authenticity about it because I was there. I think all of my books took on kind of a deeper tone when the lady who wrote about cancer all of a sudden had cancer. I'm doing well. I went through it all and they said, 'You're fine."

In truth, I don't want to be there. I don't want to see the light go out of my brother's eyes.

I have always been amazed guys read my books and seem to enjoy them. Because I've raised boys, I like to think I can get inside a guy's mind. I try and make the boys talk like guys, sound like guys and react like guys.

You know not every book has to have a happy ending, but it has to have a satisfying ending.