I never do a full outline, and if I did, I would not feel bound to it, because the view from inside a scene can be different from the view outside it. But neither do I just start writing and see what happens; I am far more disciplined than that.

I hope to read a Harry Potter novel soon, to see what it's all about. I admit to being annoyed that many good light fantasy writers have had trouble getting published, in England and elsewhere, when it is obvious the readers were waiting for us all along.

At present I answer about 100 letters a month, and read 300 emails.

Keep writing, because not only does practice improve skill, it gives you more chances to score on the market. I did that for eight years before making my first sale.

People think I have the benefit of a public school education. I have this suave and debonair label, but really, I'm as common as muck.

When you have a teacher who is part of a tradition, the other people in that tradition are such stars. You just look at them like pop stars.

We must promote upward mobility, starting with solutions that speak to our broken education system, broken immigration policy, and broken safety-net programs that foster dependency instead of helping people get back on their feet.

As a kid, I had this ultimate goal to be a teacher. I wanted to be a history teacher like my dad.