In a novel, on the other hand, you not only have to describe the rooms, but the clothes, the characters and what they are thinking. It's a much more in-depth process.

There's this sense of excitement because you invent and control the characters. You decide whether they live or die. I find this type of creative process tremendously stimulating.

When you write a movie, you have a hundred collaborators. But when you write a novel, it's yours.

As I dictate, other characters come in and the story begins to form, and I really talk the story,

The fact that my female characters have strong personalities but are also physically attractive probably reflects the women I've known in my life.

Don't give up. There are too many nay-sayers out there who will try to discourage you. Don't listen to them. The only one who can make you give up is yourself.