I like the way words go together and I like the gamesmanship of writing poetry. It is such a challenge.

I also try very hard to create characters - both heroes and villains - with psychological depth.

You think publishing is tough but the music world is ten times tougher.

Certainly going back to Sherlock Holmes we have a tradition of forensic science featured in detective stories.

Readers are paramount. I live to write books for them.

If you have a craftsman's command of the language and basic writing techniques you'll be able to write - as long as you know what you want to say

In suspense novels even subplots about relationships have to have conflict.

I was editor of my high school literary magazine and a reporter for the school newspaper.

When you work alone, you need to socialize at some level.

My books are primarily plot driven but the best plot in the world is useless if you don't populate them with characters that readers can care about.

I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block, the problem is idea block

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

No two stories are the same. They may seem the same at first glance, but, once you take a closer look, give the story some of your time, you realise its unique qualities.

If you truly love something, you should set it free. If it comes back.. Lock them in cage and throw the key. If it doesn’t then.. Damn them to Hell.

I'm the worst rider. I'm a terrible rider. Me and horses are not a good mix. For some reason, people are always trying to get me on a horse in a movie.

After all, what can we ever gain in forever looking back and blaming ourselves if our lives have not turned out quite as we might have wished?

I would suffer all the humiliation, all the torture, the absolute ostracism and even death, to prevent violence

The time is ripe for the whole region to live in peace.

There are certainly things labels can still provide that indie artists cant. They can pave the way to radio and pay big bucks for promotion.

I just saw metal as another tool for me to use.

The beliefs that we use to define our own individuality, what makes us unique - good, bad, or indifferent - from other individuals.