Crime and legal stories, broadly speaking, are just where my interest happens to lie.

Good stories are driven by conflict, tension, and high stakes.

Probably careful plotting reflects my personality. I am meticulous by nature. I can't imagine speed-writing anything that happens to pop into my head.

I am interested in computers and technology, and art, photography, and design.

I can't say that I ever actually decided to become a writer. It kind of snuck up on me.

When I was 30 or so - by that time I had become an assistant D.A. - I decided I would try to write a novel. To be clear: I did not decide to become a novelist. Honestly, it never crossed my mind that I could actually earn a living as a professional novelist.