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Writers are troubled about finding time to write and writer's block and publicizing books that aren't books yet. They agonize over how to write and what to write and what not to write.

With two books a year, I don't have time for writer's block.

Listen, I wrote 10 unsuccessful books before I broke through, so I'm looking all the time to keep my books fascinating. I want to write what people want to read, not push any message.

I used to write fiction, non-fiction, fiction, non-fiction and have a clear pattern because I'd need a break from one style when going into the next book.

Often, writer's block will occur when I don't understand a character or his/her motivations. So I will make notes analysing characters.

I've been at writing long enough now to know that every three or four books, I have to start a new direction.

But I've been at writing long enough now to know that every three or four books I have to start a new direction.

I always work from an outline, so I know all the of the broad events and some of the finer details before I begin writing the book.

Write the best book you can, the one that demands to be written, no matter what genre it is. Even a trend the trades tell you has gone stale can be revitalized by a superb piece of writing. It'll never be revitalized by someone jumping on a trend bandwagon.

Focus in on the genre you want to write, and read books in that genre. A LOT of books by a variety of authors. And read with questions in your mind.