I think I'm fascinated by the power of religion in our culture. Like a lot of secular, liberal people, I ignored it for a long time. Lately, of course, just from a political perspective, it's impossible to ignore.

I know very few writers who outline fully before they start. It just doesn't seem possible to do, because so many things don't come out until you're absolutely knee-deep in the world.

I have actual dreams of Bruce Springsteen calling me up on stage to wear a bandanna and play rhythm guitar next to Little Steven.

Once you'd broken through that invisible barrier that separates one person from another, you were connected forever, whether you liked it or not.

I think I'm fascinated by the power of religion in our culture. Like a lot of secular, liberal people, I ignored it for a long time. Lately, of course, just from a political perspective, it's impossible to ignore.

I write about kids growing up, I write a lot about schools and parents, and all of my experiences with those things have been suburban experiences.

If anything, he seemed a little lonely, all too ready to open his heart at the slightest sign of interst.