If you're writing a book that takes place in New York in the moment, you can't not write about 9-11; you can't not integrate it. My main character's view is the Statue of Liberty and the Trade Center. It doesn't have to take over, but it has to be acknowledged.

Tremble, all ye oppressors of the world!

You can't take a character anywhere they don't expect the character to go. But within those confines is where creativity lies

I'd love to be a saxophonist. I don't know why, but I pretend I'm the saxophonist when I listen to music. I have about as much chance playing the sax as I do learning how to fly.

I think the definition of an artist is not necessarily tied into excellence or talent; an artist is somebody who, if you took away their freedom to make art, would lose their mind.

If I can tell you the story from beginning to end in five minutes, I'm ready to start writing.

I write because I can't imagine not writing.