I think exercise is critical to my writing and an essential way to recharge.

I find flawed characters much more interesting than perfect ones and enjoy the challenge of making readers root for them in spite of their unsympathetic path and destructive choices.

I have increasingly steeled myself to criticism, but it still can sting, especially when you feel that it is unfair - or that they are judging my book by its cover or by preconceived notions.

I did read all my old diaries and was quite surprised by the overwhelming melancholic tone. I remember things being rosier than they really were.