There are days when I intentionally don't write. For instance, I never write when I'm traveling, because travel is a situation where I can learn more by looking and listening than by working.

I had been writing fiction since I was in eighth grade, because I loved it.

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

Once you have invented a character with three dimensions and a voice, you begin to realize that some of the things you'd like him to do to further your plot are things that such a person wouldn't, or couldn't, do.

What I look for in any character, good or bad, is whether I can hear him speak. If I can imagine him that clearly, then I can write about him.

I do like to explore evil characters in my books.

When I write a book, I'm making it the best book I can.