I think exercise is critical to my writing and an essential way to recharge.

I find flawed characters much more interesting than perfect ones and enjoy the challenge of making readers root for them in spite of their unsympathetic path and destructive choices.

I have increasingly steeled myself to criticism, but it still can sting, especially when you feel that it is unfair - or that they are judging my book by its cover or by preconceived notions.

The best thing about being an author is writing stories and having people - strangers all over the world - connect with them.

I like being married, but it was never something I felt I had to do.

My mother wanted a conservative, secure life, and she has been married to my father since she was 18... A lot of hard work went into that marriage and a lot of not getting what you want.

We are lucky to have had the longevity we've had, garnering new people. I've even become cool to my daughters' friends.

The idea of being a novelist is really romantic, but it's kind of the same as being president of the United States - it's not gonna happen.