To be simple, I would say a story has to have a bit of narrative, if only "she says," and then enough of a creation of a different time and place to transport the reader.

I never dream in French, but certain French words seem better or more fun than English words - like 'pois chiches' for chick peas!

I am basically the sort of person who has stage-fright teaching. I kind of creep into a classroom. I'm not an anecdote-teller, either, although I often wish I were.

But it is curious how you can see that an idea is absolutely true and correct and yet not believe it deeply enough to act on it.

If you think of something, do it. Plenty of people often think, “I’d like to do this, or that.

Work hard and meticulously. When in trouble, look closely at a text that is a good example of what you're trying to do. And be patient.

I don't pare down much. I write the beginning of a story in a notebook and it comes out very close to what it will be in the end. There is not much deliberateness about it.