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I believed, after writing 'Mrs. Kimble,' that I knew how to write a novel. I quickly discovered that I only knew how to write that novel. 'Baker Towers' was a different beast entirely; and I felt as though I had to learn to write all over again.

Stephen King's 'On Writing' is probably the most useful writing book I've ever read.

I read a lot of short fiction, like Kurt Vonnegut and Raymond Carver and Wells Tower.

I think of novels in architectural terms. You have to enter at the gate, and this gate must be constructed in such a way that the reader has immediate confidence in the strength of the building.

I realised I'd never climb Everest but thought I could still write a book.

I have a hard time recalling the titles of books.

I don't think there was a particular book that made me want to write. They all did. I always wanted to write.

As a writer, I'm always aware of the fact that there are so many books out there.

The book is there for inspiration and as a foundation, the fundamentals on which to build.