I think pressure can be an incentive toward improvement, and while I'm not denying that I feel some, I will also stress that it is self-inflicted and hopefully can be channeled in a healthy way.

I think anyone who writes suspense fiction and says that King isn't an influence is either lying or being foolish.

We understand tornadoes scientifically, but it still feels supernatural. The randomness makes it feel supernatural.

Band of Skulls is joining Cage the Elephant as my new musical caffeine.

I started writing as soon as I started reading.

I've never really found inspiration for story ideas in the news, but I'd say it certainly affects our lives in so many ways. I would say that certainly the stories of the day appear in the work - I just have never gone so far as to say, well, this particular event could influence a plot of an entire book.

In terms of characters I wish I had created - just because I haven't dealt with anything like them - I'm really impressed by characters who can endure over time, whether that be a long series run like a Harry Bosch, or a character who endures over generations and continues to please readers: Sherlock Holmes.