Reading aloud the last two pages of a book about Montaigne by Sarah Bakewell. It was about his relationship with his cat, and a letter to a friend whose dog had died. It’s about letting the unexpected happen to you, and how that can really be what life is about.

Talking about the hardships of my mother’s life – she would not approve.

For a film called Eliza Graves. It hasn't been released yet, but then again they might have edited that weeping sequence out.

Yesterday, because grief creeps up on you.

I had the benefit of some very good high school English teachers. One in particular when I was a senior in high school. I was a jock, okay. I was not a student. Although I enjoyed reading, that was about it as far as academics. But she forced us to read good books and good writers, particularly good American writers. We weren’t too thrilled to do it initially, but she taught us how to do it. Through that, I discovered some of my favorite authors, particularly John Steinbeck. Once I had gone through all of Steinbeck’s books, I realized that I had had a wonderful experience.

This morning. I had a typical day: got up early, took the dog for a walk, went to the gym for an hour, then wrote for four hours. That makes me a very happy person.

I don’t care – I won’t be here.

Being able to write books that entertain people around the world.

Impatience; the inability to savor the moment.

Drop 20lb and lower my cholesterol.