I had wanted to write Ghost Country for a long time, but it wouldn't work.

I wish I could remember where I put things. I spend half my life looking for my keys. With the other half I look for my glasses.

White-collar crime gets more outrageous by the second in America.

All food starting with p is comfort food: pasta, potato chips, pretzels, peanut butter, pastrami, Pizza, pastry.

I went to college at the University of Kansas, where I got a degree in political science.

I spent 10 years as a marketing manager. I've found my experience in the financial world invaluable background for writing about white-collar crimes.

The possibility of bringing white-collar criminals to justice is ever receding over the horizon.

When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated.

I live and die with the Chicago Cubs

I have a friend who lives in the South Side of Chicago. I helped out at a church charity there where they try to give a bit of cohesion to a desperate area. Everyone was very welcoming

Capo, my first golden retriever, so loved to swim she once jumped off a cliff to get into Lake Superior.

Unwise application of knowledge is dangerous.

Divorce and separation, is the realization that, one of the two, no longer is growing his or her way to prosperity, next to that other person.

The risks of liberty we must let everyone take

Lancelot and Guinevere – they looked like two flowers, bright enough to turn to each other for sunlight.

When it is dark enough you can see the stars.

I play American football every Saturday, which I find calming.

I stand entwined in fire on the inextinguishable bonfire of inconceivable love.

I would love to collect art at some point, but I think the whole rap/art world thing is getting kind of corny.

Non-ambiguity is the shaping force of reality.

I started to write a lot of ballads that were sultry and had a Norah Jones-for-country kind of feel. I wanted to bring elements of old soul music and old country music.