When I sit and talk with a person, I'm not always paying attention. I'm looking at the person and saying, 'What is it about his or her life that appeals to me?

I cannot outline. I do not know what the next thing is going to happen in the book until it comes out of my fingers.

To me, family is everything. I want children to realize how important their families are and what a support system a family is.

Many times in my life I've been upset about something and said to myself, "Will this matter in two years?" Not even in two months.

What inspired me to become an author? I think it was the snow in New York. I looked out the window and I said, 'Well, I have to get dressed every morning to go to teach, but if I write a book, I can stay home in my bathrobe, eat candy corn.'

Outside of family, writing is essential. To me, it's like breathing.

Do you all have a living room floor or a bedroom floor? Then you can write a book.