Well, when I was 13, for my bar mitzvah I received my first typewriter. And that was special.

If you want to be a writer, don't worry so much about writing. Read as much as you can. Read as many different writers as you can. Soak up the styles.

I've made myself laugh from some ideas - but I've never scared myself.

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.

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

Making my class laugh and getting in trouble. I was the class clown.

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