The only thing worth thinking about, when I write a story, is whether I like it, whether I want to write it, whether it excites me.

I'm sure scientists would point to specific brain chemicals, but I think love is actually a kind of magic. It's what allows things to happen, people to be creative, the world to change. Great things come out of love - for other people, for art, for beauty.

I talked on my blog recently about "uncommon sense." Common sense is called "common" because it reflects cultural consensus. It's common sense to get a good job and save for retirement. But I think we all also have an "uncommon sense," an individual voice that tells us what we're meant to do.

I think part of my purpose in this life is to talk about magic, and to make it.

I'm working on a poetry collection for Papaveria Press . It fills me with trepidation - poetry is something I'm much more self-conscious about than prose.

I see so many talented writers who have difficulties with that. And if you don't believe it's important, you won't put in the work you need to.

Of course, with Papaveria Press, you know the book itself is going to be beautiful.