Through a series of mistakes in write-ups, I’d like to be remembered for something like being Britain’s finest downhill skier or inventing pickled onions.

As much as my writing is so important to me and it’s the work I’m here to do, by far the more important thing to me is the people I love.

As a wonderful husband and a great father, and somebody who inspired others to pursue their own dreams, like Fred Astaire inspired me.

I would like to be remembered for the quality of my work by people who don’t know me; and by the people who know me I’d like to be remembered for being good company.

Impatience; the inability to savor the moment.

Having a stroke.

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

When my mom died, on 18 January this year.

Drop 20lb and lower my cholesterol.

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.