Everything has to be clean and orderly when I sit down to write. I have candles going, and small objects that remind me of what I am working on, or bring me into the world of the character.

I am in total silence when I write - I don't even like the sound of the dryer going - I like the quiet.

But the most precious research to me came from the paperwork filed on behalf of my grandparents and great-grandfather. The ship's manifest showed that they could read and write. I am still emotional when I look at those boxes checked yes.

If I am going somewhere exotic, I take an empty suitcase with me to bring back the objects I fall in love with.

I write novels about women, except for one: 'Rococo', about a man, a New Jersey decorator. But even that book had a woman on the cover.

Motherhood changes everything.