I almost got a psychology degree I almost got a philosophy degree. I kept changing it so they couldn't make me graduate. I studied anthropology and eastern religion epistomology and astronomy... I took every interesting course I could find for nine years.

I took religion much too seriously however and its overall effect was depressing. I would have really liked to discard it but somehow I couldn't.

I'm a believer. I don't go to church. I don't belong to any particular religion but I do believe in God. I couldn't write what I write about and be creative without a certain form of belief.

So I developed very early a massive inferiority complex and I've told the story often about how that inspired me later in life to get involved in other things because I couldn't out-do my brothers in sports and it's a very competitive relationship.

I hope I presented what I felt the woman seemed to be about but I couldn't give any reason as to why she remained in the relationship other than that their relationship was very special.

I couldn't have been happier with the relationship we had with Disney it couldn't have been easier.

I couldn't be in a relationship and behave like somebody else or pretend I felt something I didn't feel. And that includes saying things I thought might jeopardize the relationship.

I lived by the candlelight for two years because I couldn't afford power. It was nice and romantic at the time but if you can't afford power you're pretty broke. You endure it.

It was R.E.M. who showed other Eighties bands how to get away with ignoring the rules - they lived in some weird town nobody never heard of they didn't play power chords they probably couldn't even spell 'spandex.' All they had was songs.

I was totally absorbed in the real world the politics the history the news and I just couldn't find my way into the fictional world... When I finally could return to writing the novel it was in fits and starts.