I went to college at the University of Kansas, where I got a degree in political science.

Capo, my first golden retriever, so loved to swim she once jumped off a cliff to get into Lake Superior.

The hope for a messiah puts too much on that one person. And you think that absolves you of personal responsibility and you don't have to act because that person will do it for you.

My parents were liberal intellectuals but even they expected me to stay at home and look after my younger siblings and do the housework.

You have to be a ruthless editor of your own prose. Over the years, I've learned that the best way to incorporate research into the narrative is to turn it into action.

It took me nine months to write 60 pages. It was very frustrating

Rule number something or other -- never tell anybody anything unless you're going to get something better in return.