Reading a novel in which all characters illustrate patience, hard work, chastity, and delayed gratification could be a pretty dull experience.

Contrary to what many writers imply about the process, nobody forces a writer to sell his work to the film industry.

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something - a character sketch, a monologue, a description of some sight, or even just a list of ideas.

Much of what we do in life has a huge component of luck.

It's important, I think, for a writer of fiction to maintain an awareness of the pace and shape of the book as he's writing it. That is, he should be making an object, not chattering.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

Tod Goldberg has long been one of the most interesting writers around, and Gangsterland is his biggest and best book so far.