I think the idea of migration through time is very important because every human being does that and it unites us with people who migrate through geography.

We think of the romance novel as a lesser form of literature, but I don't think that's true. Love is a very important aspect of human life and worth exploring.

Pakistan now is like a horror film franchise. You know, it's 'Friday the 13th, Episode 63: The Terrorist from Pakistan.' And each time we hear of Pakistan it's in that context.

The anger is useful too because when things about the world upset you, that is really a fertile feeling to channel into fiction and to put out into books.

If differences can be hidden, perhaps they aren't differences at all.

In America there are people advocating for trans rights and people like Vice President Pence, who is vehemently opposed. In Pakistan, too, you have all kinds of folks - from flamboyant gay fashion designers and female Air Force pilots to the Taliban. A cross-dressed man used to be the top TV talk show host. It was actually quite radical. So the diversity of these societies is often lost on people.

Novels are make-believe and play for adults.