You have no control [over natural disaster]. That's what's scary about it. You're helpless. That feeling of helplessness is really scary.

The only lesson is, you gotta keep at it.

I love theme parks but I'm a real chicken on rides. I'd rather invent scary rides for my books than go on them for real.

I've had a very sheltered life. What can happen to you if you stay home writing all day?

Sometimes it helps to scold yourself, to give yourself advice.

I've lived in New York for 40 years. I came right after college.

When I write, I try to think back to what I was afraid of or what was scary to me, and try to put those feelings into books.