It's amazing that the heart makes no noise when it cracks.

Cities fell. Earth opened. Planets tilted. Stars plummeted. And the awful silence.

A novel must work as a story because no one's going to get to the other themes if you don't entertain the reader. But I like to have another layer of meaning, although you can read the book on one level and not bother with that other layer.

It's amazing that the heart makes no noise when it cracks.

I've had aunts and uncles who not only haven't read my books but could hardly believe that I was a writer.

When people say they write for themselves, that's probably what they do. I will admit that I don't write for myself; I write to be read. I've got the reader in my mind all the time.

As much as there is joy in writing, there's always the little bit of terror to keep you on edge, on your toes. It is a strange way to occupy yourself - to enjoy your life on a daily basis. There is no guarantee that something great is going to come next.