James Patterson has a way with female characters. He understands women in a way that a lot of male writers don't.

James Patterson has a way with female characters. He understands women in a way that a lot of male writers don't.

I'm very grounded - that's how I would put it. If you met my mother, you'd probably say the same thing about her. I had a very sane upbringing, though some very insane things happened.

I'm not a social retard, but I prefer to go unnoticed.

When something's got to give, family always wins. I couldn't live with myself if it was the other way.

I would follow my mother around the kitchen watching and trying to find any way to help. One of the first dishes my mother taught me to make was hollandaise sauce. Though she always served it with broccoli, I soon realized it was equally delicious with asparagus, artichokes, or any other vegetable.

I wasn't a very good waitress, always spilling things on people and forgetting things. I once spilled ashes all over Mike Wallace's table.