Empathy is a tool for building people into groups, for allowing us to function as more than self-obsessed individuals.

When you smiled you had my undivided attention. When you laughed you had my urge to laugh with you. When you cried you had my urge to hold you. When you said you loved me, you had my heart forever.

The shape does not change. There was a human being who was born, lived, and then, by some means or another, died. There. you may fill in the details from your own experience. As unoriginal as any other tale, as unique as any other life. Lives are like snowflakes - forming patterns we have seen before, (...) but still unique.

We chose the latter — as we felt that large groups can only function when there are major issues, they need bylaws, etc..

In the case of 'Ocean at the End of the Lane,' it's a book about helplessness. It's a book about family, it's a book about being 7 in a world of people who are bigger than you, and more dangerous, and stepping into territory that you don't entirely understand.

Somebody would say, 'Can you do us an article about big, bodice-ripping, blockbusting romance novels?' And I'd say, 'Yes, of course,' because I was a hungry young journalist.