The best romance writers know there's nothing that builds conflict or makes a gentleman of a rogue more quickly than responsibility.

No matter how troubled a character's history, romance novels tell us, love can be built upon it, and happily-ever-after can result. What's more, the darker the past, the brighter the future - and the better the read.

The trick to great romance is in overcoming adversity. In realizing that love is worth some uphill climbs.

I want to wake up one morning and know how to write page one, or page 10, or page 250. But I never seem to know how to do it. Every book is different and takes a different structure, style, process, etc. And relearning how to write is where the insanity comes from.

When I was 11, I realised that I did not have to live the life my mother had: school, marriage, children, apartment, summer house.

After I got back my career and my artistic freedom in 1982, my golden rule is the music must never suffer.

Throughout my career, people have totally confused 'Laguna Beach' and 'The O.C.' I think, in people's minds, it all kind of got blurred over time.

Writing is still my main career, but I would love, for instance, to serve in the New York State Assembly.