I learned to write fiction the way I learned to read fiction - by skipping the parts that bored me.

My fiction has been influenced by the visual arts, though not in obvious ways, it seems to me. I don't offer tremendous amounts of visual information in my work.

I keep one simple rule that I only move in one direction - I write the book straight through from beginning to end. By following time's arrow, I keep myself sane.

The past is still visible. The buildings haven't changed, the layout of the streets hasn't changed. So memory is very available to me as I walk around.

I write contemporary fiction, and that is what my readers want to read.

I can't bear the silent ringing in my skull.