A: The King James Bible, because of the lyricism, and the early work of Gabriel Garcia Marquez because of the strength of the language and his use of magical realism.

Q: Can you give us a couple of personal characteristics about youself that perhaps are not commonly known?

A: I can’t write in a messy room or when my life is disorderly. I’m learning to juggle.

Q: Most of your books are portraitures of the contemporary South, yet "On The Occasion of My Last Afternoon" is historical in nature. Were there certain reasons you chose to do historical fiction? Do you believe there is a different challenge in writing historical fiction?

A: I’m nervous about writing a contemporary novel because of the increasingly homogenous and flattened language, so I’ve stayed away from a book set in the here and now. History gives stories a preconceived and very valuable distance and perspective.

Q: If you hadn't become so successful a writer, what career would have been your second choice?

A: Teaching literature in college, and I would’ve hated it. Now, if I had it to do over and couldn’t write, I’d study chemistry harder and go to medical school, probably work as an ER doctor. I’m used to the hours and the stress already.

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

A: Sad as it sounds, the most important skill a writer has is his or her capacity for self criticism. Writing’s easy, but going back over a manuscript and mercilessly separating the bad from the good is harder, requires more focus and patience, certainly a stronger will.

Interview Date: April 2004
Profile and questions compiled by Rosanne L., Matthews Branch Library