At the most basic level, I appreciate writers who have something to say.

I do feel fortunate to have some knowledge of the great Latin American writers, including some that are probably not that well known in English. I'm thinking of Jose Maria Arguedas, whom I read when I was living in Lima, and who really impacted the way I viewed my country.

Publication in 'The New Yorker' meant everything, and it's no exaggeration to say that it changed my life.

It's true that there are people who live the idea of being an artist, as opposed to the idea of making art.

As a boy, I wanted to be the Peruvian Diego Maradona. Sadly, Peru hasn't made the World Cup since 1982, so I guess I did well to choose something different.

I think I'm an American writer writing about Latin America, and I'm a Latin American writer who happens to write in English.