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" I don't really know why I went to law school. "

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" My books aren't autobiographical. "

Autobiographical

" I try to write about real women, real people - in other words flawed characters. "

" Everyone wants to belong, or be a part of something bigger than themselves, but it's important to follow your heart and be true to yourself in the process. "

" My books are all relationship-focused, so much of my inspiration comes from my own relationships and the issues and concerns that arise among my friends and family. "

" I really try to focus on my books and readers. "

" I never outline my novels before I write. I do have a vague sense of beginning, middle, and end at the outset of each book, but for me, writing has always been a very character-driven process. "

" I've always been intrigued by the power of secrets. When is it justifiable to keep them from the ones we love? And does keeping them irrevocably change who we are? "

" To write convincingly, I think you must be able to relate, in some way, to what a character is experiencing. "

" Often I feel that projects overwhelm us when we look at how many hours are involved until completion. But just getting started is usually not that difficult. "

Getting Started

" I have increasingly steeled myself to criticism, but it still can sting, especially when you feel that it is unfair - or that they are judging my book by its cover or by preconceived notions. "

" I have always been drawn to coming-of-age stories and books and movies featuring compelling young characters. "

" For an interesting nonfiction read, I really enjoyed 'Quiet' by Susan Cain. I read it with my husband, who is a true introvert, whereas I am an introvert masquerading as an extrovert. "

" The best thing about being an author is writing stories and having people - strangers all over the world - connect with them. "

" I aim for four workouts a week. I work out with a trainer once a week. Then, I take a circuit class twice a week. The fourth workout is random, depending on what I'm in the mood for - either a run, a spin class, or yoga. "

" Well, shoes, bags and clutches are usually my big weaknesses - my husband always laughs when I call them 'investment pieces.' "

" I think exercise is critical to my writing and an essential way to recharge. "

" It's a funny thing - when I'm crazed with work, spending time with my children relaxes me. Yet, at the end of a long weekend with them, the very thing I need to relax is a little work and time away from them! "

" I feel a great connection with my readers and would never want to disappoint them. "

" My favorite movie of all-time is 'Stand By Me,' and I re-read my favorite young adult books often. "

" I did read all my old diaries and was quite surprised by the overwhelming melancholic tone. I remember things being rosier than they really were. "

" I have unabashed Bieber Fever and routinely Google 'Justin and Selena.' They are so cute together. "

" Guilt is a supreme waste of time and energy. "

" I think it always feels riskier and scarier to go after something you really love and want because the rejection and failure hurts more. "

" I try to have something in common with my protagonists, especially when I'm writing in the first person. "

" I try to recognize that there is no such thing as having it all - and it's impossible to be perfect. You just have to let certain things go. "

" I didn't drink in high school, and neither did any of my boyfriends. "

" Like the rest of the planet, I'm absolutely dying to see Baz Luhrmann's 'The Great Gatsby' and am thrilled that Leonardo DiCaprio was cast in it - he's perfect. "

" Inevitably I draw on my own relationships when I write, so if I'm writing about a fight between a husband and his wife, of course I'm going to think about a recent fight with my husband. Or if I'm writing about sisters, of course I'm going to think about my sister. "

" A theme in a lot of my books - and in my own life - is making choices that you feel you should make, or what society wants you to make, as opposed to what is truly right for you. "

" I was actually born in Baltimore! Although I moved away when I was quite young and consider Chicago to be my hometown, Baltimore is sentimental to me, and I still keep in touch with family friends I knew as a little girl. "