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When you write a book for publication, you're writing it for other people to read.

Readers always seem to think that the author has some control over the design of their books.

When you write a novel, you never have to be in the service of the reader. My only concern with my books is that the world that's created be as logical and whole as possible.

When I write a book, I write a book for myself; the reaction is up to the reader. It's not my business whether people like or dislike it.

Sometimes, I'll hear from other writers or folks in the publishing industry that my books are rule-breakers, which I take as a compliment.

You work hard on a book and throw it out there and then it's beyond your control.

Most people - and particularly people whose lives have nothing to do with books at all - are intrigued by the idea that somebody wants to listen to them and get it right.

As an author, I realise, you're on your own. You have to do everything you can to help The Book. If I make sure people know it's out there, they can make up their own minds whether they want to read it.

Personally I don't like it when writers become excessively proscriptive about the way that people read their books.

When you write a book, you're an expert, and people look at you in a different way.