I don't bring expectations to any of my books. I don't tell people what to do. I want to invite them in.

People in my novels always have terrible problems. If they are not terrible, I make them more terrible.

Few people know so clearly what they want. Most people can't even think what to hope for when they throw a penny in a fountain.

Most every book I bring into the world is like birthing a baby; it's a lot of effort!

Most of my books have been about the complex ways an individual depends on community.

I never think that anything I'm writing is bluntly political in any way. I'm not going for commentary.