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I get a lot of inspiration from research in mythology and folklore. I find that, you know, stories people told each other thousands of years ago are still relevant now.

In the Western tradition, the first writers were teachers and historians, vastly traveled, who spiced their reports with fantasies. They were also poets who sang and entertained prince and pauper.

I've always been drawn to historical fiction.

When I was young, I assumed that authors must have traveled the world or done exotic things in order to tell great stories.

When fairy tales are written in the west, they're known as folklore. In the east, fairy tales are called religions.

I love Westerns. They're a unique creation of American mythology.

My history writing was based on what I saw in strange, exotic places rather than just reading books.

I like writing historical fiction.

I'm a fan of books that are almost languorous in their storytelling. That is a little bit lost sometimes in the modern media that we have.

As an author of narrative history, I read a lot of history books.