“At some point in the idea process, I simply wear myself down and force...” — Erik Larson Quote

At some point in the idea process, I simply wear myself down and force myself to choose. But here's the thing: Once I do choose, suddenly all the other possibilities wither and die, and thus I never have a backlog of well-formed ideas waiting for me when my latest book gets finished.

The Lusitania is a monument to this optimism, to the hubris of the era. I love that, because where there is hubris, there is tragedy.

I was never concretely aware of the extent of anti-Semitism in the United States and in the upper levels of the State Department.

There is no secret orchard where ideas grow. Oh my, do I wish there were.

I try out all the latest beauty products and participate in all the shows. It's pretty magical.

I'd be much more likely to watch the latest Tarantino movie than to listen to a Mahler symphony.

My brother keeps texting me about the latest Audi and BMWs that have come. He keeps suggesting I buy one of them. He does share the specifications.

Back in the early 1970s, what got me and another 400,000 kids out of bed without needing to be called twice was the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man.

Kids will pick up on weakness, and I was very shy growing up. I was skinny and flat-chested; I didn't have the latest clothes. For me, it was about being left out and not having any friends and being laughed at. I was very lonely, but that happens to so many people.