Over the years, a number of people have asked me why I tend to write at this great length. I've put some thought into the answer, and it can be boiled down one word: consequences. Well, maybe two words: consequences and characters. Or perhaps, consequences, characters, and the subconscious mind - above all the subconscious mind.

An actual saga demands change, both in its characters and its world.

Not all series books are sagas. Some are shaped more like beads on a string, separate episodes held together by a set of characters, who may or may not grow and change as the series continues.

I love doing theater. Despite the fact that out of theater, film, and TV, theater is the hardest thing to do. It's the least paid, and we all have these bills that we have to pay.

I believe we need to lay race theories to rest: Democracy - and identity - is difficult enough without 'scientific' obfuscation.

In consequence, science is more important than ever for industrial technology.

We can use all the scientific tools, but it will never replace the palate or the talent of the chefs who are in the kitchen.