But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is the hero of his own story. Each has a justification for his actions that is convincing to him. It's fun to give these people voices.

All writers are mimics, and I'm not interested in picking up somebody else's style or voice.

But at the same time, the commonplace statement about them is true: every character is the hero of his own story. Each has a justification for his actions that is convincing to him. It's fun to give these people voices.

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

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities - and kept on writing.

The characters you refer to as predatory and unsavory are useful. They're the ones who make a novel into a thriller. They're active, and most of the common virtues, the signs of a good person, are not.

I don't consciously do anything to maintain a unique voice.