I have a friend who teaches yoga (or is it pilates?), and she said that I don't seem to live in the moment. And I said, "Exactly!" I'd go nuts if I lived in the moment.

I think anything we do - eating, walking down the street, online shopping - gives you another perspective on writing stories.

I think some writers should wait for something to say.

I've spent so many years living in one place and imaging another.

But this is exactly why I read--and don't belong to a book group--because reading is the most individual thing there is. Why collectivize it? Didn't we have enough bad English teachers in school? Crowd sourcing and literature shouldn't mix.

Maybe my work is somewhat divided into family stories, things I know intimately, and then everybody else in the world - the strangers who I am totally fascinated with.

I agonize over things like this - the order of things, section titles, all this architectural sort of stuff. Takes me years to figure out.