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When I work on stories, I tend to be pretty obsessive.

As a writer, I absorb stories, allow them to churn within my own head and heart - often for years - until I find a way of telling them that fits both my time and temperament.

I write and draw from the gut. I often don't know what my stories are about until they're done.

Whenever I write, I try and approach my stories from some kind of universal theme or idea or emotion.

I try to write stories that are thrilling and full of mystery and funny all at the same time, stories that raise moral questions but come up with very few moral answers, stories that emotionally touch readers through the characters.

I've always believed in working hard, and I'm grateful that people seem to connect with the kinds of stories I'm passionate about telling.

When the stories come easily and the writing process doesn't feel laboring, that's usually a good sign for me.

The stories that I like to tell and the movies I like are always grounded in the emotional arc of the characters.

I've evolved in my writing to tell a more emotional story - my publisher, Random House, has urged that.

Managing to tell a story is very gratifying.