I try not to think too much about my writing process - I tend to feel my way forward and find more insights that way.

Character drives the story, and the story drives the book. I don't think about where the action should go, or how much there should be, until it's required by the characters. When I find myself adding conflict just because I'm afraid that the reader might get bored, I know I've taken a wrong turn somewhere.

To be a carpenter or a builder or a home inspector, you have to have that kind of visual brain where you can sort of imagine something taken apart.

I'm most interested in people who've lived life in the extreme, which is what draws me to crime fiction.

The culture of undermining sends signals of disrespect. This approach not only saps motivation and undermines teamwork, it also lowers the motivation to work extra hours anticipating what can go wrong.

It takes a village to earn a spot representing your country, and I know that every single person who helped me get to the Olympics was also touched by the dream. The web of inspiration is incredible. Because of this, I know that the core principles and spirit of what the Olympics stand for are worth protecting.

You can be moved by an animated film and not by a live action film. There could be great inspiration in and humanity in that animated story.

There are so many miserable people out there who have not fulfilled their dreams. I believe you should do something that you love.