When men die, they die in fear", he said. "They take everything they need from you, and as a doctor it is your job to give it, to comfort them, to hold their hand. But children die how they have been living - in hope. They don't know what's happening, so they expect nothing, they don't ask you to hold their hand - but you end up needing them to hold yours. With children, you're on your own. Do you understand?

My family lived in Egypt from 1993 to 1996.

I've always written about animals. I'm still trying to process why that is.

In the mess of moving from place to place, I skipped two grades in the space of one year.

I like dark subject matter. I'm not sure what that means about me!

My grandfather and I were very close.

The dead are celebrated. The dead are loved. They give something to the living. Once you put something into the ground, Doctor, you always know where to find it.