A: Um, I’m not sure I’ve had that moment yet!! My success has been a long, slow, steady growth of readership. There were years I considered quitting and getting myself a job application from Home Depot. I still believe that you’re only as good as your last book – although, yes, I think that if my publisher dropped me tomorrow, someone else would probably pick me up, which takes a bit of the pressure off me at the present moment! The fact that I’ve been able to achieve success with something I absolutely love to do has been a great stroke of luck.

Q: Many of your novels deal with controversial issues, where do you get the inspiration for your books?

A: From “what if” questions I can’t answer. I thrash through them while writing the book, looking at all sides of the equation. Even if I don’t come up with an answer, I have probably forced myself to consider why my opinion is what it is. In this sense, writing the book for me is like reading it for you.

Q: It seems like most of your novels end with a surprise or twist ending, do you plan this when you begin writing the novel or does it change along the way?

A: I know the last word before I write the first.

Q: If you were to give a fledgling writer some advice, what would that be?

A: DO IT. Many people have a novel inside them, but most don't bother to get it out. Writing is grunt work - you need to have self-motivation, perseverance, and faith… talent is the smallest part of it (one need only read some of the titles on the NYT Bestseller list to see that… :) If you don't believe in yourself, and you don't have the fortitude to make that dream happen, why should the hotshots in the publishing world take a chance on you? I don't believe that you need an MFA to be a writer, but I do think you need to take some good workshops. These are often offered through writer's groups or community colleges. You need to learn to write on demand, and to get critiqued without flinching. Attend signings/lectures by authors, and in your free time, read read read. All of this will make you a better writer. And – here’s a critical part – when you finally start to write something, do not let yourself stop…even when you are convinced it’s the worst garbage ever. This is the biggest caveat for beginning writers. Instead, force yourself to finish what you began, and THEN go back and edit it. If you keep scrapping your beginnings, however, you’ll never know if you can reach an end.

Q: Besides reading and writing, what are some of the other passions in your life?

A: My kids! They are smart, funny, great travel companions. I also love to kayak…and I can make a mean French apple almond tart. In fact, if I weren’t a writer, I’d be a pastry chef!

Interview Date: July 2007
Profile and questions compiled by Jessica B., Morrison Regional Library