1. What inspired you to write your newest book Delirium? (it has a very interesting subject by the way)
Thank you! The idea for DELIRIUM came from an essay I read by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, in which he wrote that all great books were about love or death. The next day I was thinking about that quote--particularly about how and in what form a modern love story could be told--while I was on the treadmill at the gym. I was simultaneously watching a news story about a flu outbreak that had everyone freaking out about the possibility of a pandemic, and I was kind of marveling that people so easily go into panics about reports of these diseases, and at some point the two trains of thought--love, and disease--just sort of combined in my head.
2. Did you always want to be an author or was there some point where you wanted to be something else?
Well, I always knew I would write—I’ve always written—but I didn’t always intend to “be” a writer. For a long time I did ballet very seriously and thought I might be a dancer.
3. I know this isn't in the subject of your writing, but I read in your bio that you have ten tattoos and was intrigued ( I am a tattoo fan and can't wait to get my first one) What made you love tattoos? And of the ten describe your favorite?
I actually don’t have a favorite. All of my tattoos are extremely personal, and reflect either a big theme in my life, or an important person or event. I like tattoos because I’ve always liked symbolism—I’m drawn to it as a way of helping make sense of the twists and turns in my life. I guess that makes sense, given the fact that I see writing as a way of doing roughly the same thing.
4. If you were stranded on a desert island with only three books what would they be?
Remembrances of Things Past, by Proust—I’ve always wanted to read it and it’s loooong. Matilda, by Roald Dahl, for comfort, and a guide about surviving on a desert island by yourself.
5. If you had to choose one author as your favorite who would it be?
I can’t answer that! Not fair. It would be between: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Roald Dahl.
6. In one word describe your style of writing?
Evocative? (I hope.)
7. If you were a color what color would you be? And why did you choose that color?
Probably dark gray. First of all, that’s pretty much the color of everything I wear. But also, I don’t know—it’s dark, sure, but there’s also some ebbing to it, some hope for brightness. Like the color of the sky just as the sun is starting to creep up!
8. Are any of your characters inspired by someone you know or yourself?
Oh, sure. I always say this but in some ways I think novels are like dreams: every character is the writer, in some way, shape, or form. And I pull real-life details from people I know all the time, and write them into my characters. I feel it helps me know them and gives them vividness and dimensionality to me. If you don’t know your characters as a writer, there’s pretty much no chance that your readers will know them and find them realistic.
9. Who is your favorite book character?
Ever?? I’m not sure! So many. Matilda from Matilda; and Lyra from His Dark Materials; and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice; and Hercule Poirot from the Agatha Christie mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes, etc etc.
