I'd just gone through this break-up and was feeling crushed and heartbroken. I had quit my salaried staff job in advertising and I was running out of money/time. So I said, that's it. I have to do this. I have nothing else. I have to give it my all and actually finish this novel.

I was hellbent on writing stories that took place anywhere but where I grew up. I wrote stories set in the swanky social circles of Manhattan, or pieces set in Hawaii or Texas or the underbelly of LA or even, God forgive me, stories set nowhere... I thought that most people wouldn't find where I was from interesting enough.

I think most writers would love to sell a lot of copies and win awards and do well, because people want to be successful. I understand that, but you can't think about that while you're writing.