Girls Go Wild' was born out of a Joshua Tree excursion with some close friends after coming home from a long bit of touring.

Trying to launch a career as an artist is like trying to run through a crowd holding hands with five people. It's so difficult.

You could have written the biggest hit song, and all eyes are looking to you to write another one. It's not a thankless job; it's just an endless job.

I think I have a different view of what pop is and what can be acceptable in that realm. I feel good about that. I want fans to see that not everything's so black and white with genres.

There is creative reading as well as creative writing.

Speaking out against rap music is useless, and it's futile. The reality is there's criticism for everything, but Jay-Z is one of the most remarkable artists of our time of any genre, and as a hip-hop artist he carries the weight of that art form with such splendor and grace and genius.

As a writer, I try to do different things, but I'm not going to become a darker artist or turn into Radiohead overnight. I don't think that's my style.

I spent many years of my life as an economist and demographer. I was finally distracted by writing my novels and poetry. I'm enormously happy that was the case. I feel that with writing I have found my metier.