I often think that the prime directive for me as a teacher of writing is akin to that for a physician, which is this: do no harm.

Unlike F. Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Wolfe, I don't like proper dress while working. I like writing in pajama-like clothing, which eases and relaxes me and allows me to connect with the decidedly improper.

In my other books, things do happen, but they are kind of bookends to the real action, which for me was an exploration of consciousness. Not that I don't get into the consciousness of the people in 'The Surrendered,' but you could say there's not as much anxiety about it.

One of the ready advantages of writing a road or quest story is that it mirrors the experience of writing a novel.

I think my parents recognised that I'd always wanted to be a writer, and so they didn't think that this was some idle, faddish wish on my part.

Most people don't think about race as much as I do. They don't have to.