I don't think the problem is that people don't read enough mystery books, but that people don't read.

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.

Yes, in my books I do edit myself to keep from becoming the Village Explainer.

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.

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

I do want to write about Jane Whitefield again, but only when I have a good enough idea - something I've figured out about her that's news and that's worth a reader's time.

I don't think the problem is that people don't read enough mystery books, but that people don't read.