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I started writing 'The Lobster Kings' the day after I sold my first novel, 'Touch.'

I've loved all my books, but I will admit that 'The Man from Stone Creek' holds a very special place in my heart.

I know every Skynyrd and about all Johnny Cash songs.

When I was growing up, if there was a Young Adult section of my town's library, I missed it. I wandered right from 'The Babysitter's Club' over to Stephen King. His books were big and fat and they seemed important. I eventually worked my way through most of the shelf, but 'It' is the one that stuck with me.

I love John Irving's stuff. It's that marriage of comedy and tragedy. It's really terrific.

Jim Longenbach, poet, critic, and my husband, is always passing along life-changing books for me to read.

I've always been a big fan of books.

I loved 'Rock Lobster.' I probably heard 'Rock Lobster' first at a party or dance. Then we would do the Rock Lobster - get down on the floor and do the whole dance. I thought that was really cool and exciting, that there was actually a band that had their own dance at that point.

As for what I listen to after writing, it could be anything - but I've noticed that if the current book contains music from one tradition, it is music from another tradition that most relaxes me.