What really grabs me is when a reader writes to express her personal story and how a book helped her situation, or her acceptance of a situation she can't change. I read some sad cases in my snail and electronic mail. I respond to all I can, affirming that they are the true heroes of life because they are fighting through adversity and surviving.

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

I like to tell young people - you know one in four children die by their own hands - no matter how bad things seem, just wait a day, wait a week. Life will turn around.

So this is always the key: you have to write the book you love, the book that's alive in your heart. That's the one you have to write.

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.

For as long as the world spins and the earth is green with new wood, she will lie in this box and not in my arms.

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