I think of novels in architectural terms. You have to enter at the gate, and this gate must be constructed in such a way that the reader has immediate confidence in the strength of the building.

Think of a pitch in terms of advertising: You're trying to hook a reader the way a commercial tries to hook a detergent user.

It's not the face, but the expressions on it. It's not the voice but the things you say. It's not the way you look in that body, but the things you do with it. YOU are beautiful.

In terms of how it affected financial markets, it did have an immediate impact, but I don't think it's long-lasting at this point until we know a little bit further what the situation is surrounding it.

But I think, and hope, that the novels can be understood and enjoyed as science fiction, on their own terms.

I think I must have a super-fast metabolism.