I think what my father appreciated was the science experiment of life. He had these kids, and they had their own experiences. He wanted us to discover the world for ourselves.

My parents told us how they felt but never imposed their beliefs on us, although I appreciate I got a healthy sense of democracy from them.

I picked books by their covers - the worse the cover, the more I wanted to read it.

I collect things that just look retarded.

When we had to do book reports, I would pick a book that no one read and just make it up and turn that in. I got praised for my imagination.

The way this whole novel thing came together was, I sold them one bill of goods and then didn't communicate very well. I am like Captain Run-on Sentence.