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I've really written my books for my husband and our family. They've brought us closer together by allowing us to discuss things that were unspoken for so long.

He taught me literature, and he actually taught me how to read. He was my personal mentor.

I view the experiences that I have had - both tough ones and the pleasant ones - as gifts. They've been full of lessons. And I've learned to be open to those lessons.

I've learned things about the craft of writing and about structuring a book and about character development and so on that I've just learned on the fly.

My husband is old-fashioned and kind, he does the greatest Sinatra impression, and I'd never have written anything if he hadn't read all those bedtime stories and unloaded the dishwasher while I slaved over chapters.

I've learned so much as both a writer and a human.

I read my father's books growing up. I thought then and I still think now that his writing is wonderful. It delights and infuriates me in equal measure that he's still that good.

One of the things I learned from my father, and it did not serve me well at all, was that he was a successful writer, he earned a living. And it was a shock for me to find out that it was actually hard to make a living as a writer.

I lost my second marriage because of drinking, and I loved the woman very much. But I thought I needed booze to write. I'm glad I was disabused.

A love of books has opened so many doors for me. Stories have inspired me and taught me to aspire.