2. When and how did you start writing?
I've always loved words and writing ever since Mrs. Beverly Wardlaw's 7th grade English class. Journalism and non-fiction were my first professional calling, and until January 2002, I was a fulltime network news producer. Truth be told, I'm somewhat of an accidental novelist. I had never written a word of fiction or studied the craft until the summer of 1995. That's when a friend who writes and directs movies encouraged me to try my hand. I feel incredibly lucky to have found this path, especially so late in my professional life.

3. Do your journalism skills help with writing fiction?
They're very different crafts, but journalism and fiction both require good characters and story telling. My news training has been incredibly helpful, especially for research and writing under pressure. I love grounding my books in real places and facts, and I spend a lot of time in the field interviewing people and trying to experience firsthand what I want to convey on the page. It's very satisfying when readers write to say that I captured the feeling and flavor of places they know and love.

4. Describe your creative process. How long does it take to write a novel?
One thing's for sure: You can read a lot faster than I can write. Ideally, it would take around one year to complete a book from start to finish. In reality, it's taken longer, but I plan to complete my next book within a year. I spend roughly one-third of the time researching and outlining and two-thirds writing, revising and editing. For composing, I use a desktop PC or a laptop when I travel; no pen, paper or longhand. When it's time to edit, the No. 2 red pencils come out to play. I can go through a box in a single draft.

5. How much of your own life do you put into your books? Are your characters based on you or your experiences?
Real life always sneaks into stories and characters. The cast in my books is often drawn from or inspired by real folks I meet in my travels. That said, none of the characters is based on my own life or experiences.

6. You grew up in Los Angeles and live in New York City. Why do your stories take place in small towns like Superior, Nebraska and Marblehead, Massachusetts?
I've always felt at home and connected in small towns across America and around the world. My mom is from Nebraska, so maybe it's genetic. I think the dramas and tensions in out-of-the-way places are just as compelling as the big stories that receive media attention in New York, London and Moscow. I like to get away from the crush of city life and that's why I choose to set my books in smaller places.

7. The Man Who Ate the 747 features a character who munches on a jumbo jet to prove his love for a woman. What's the craziest thing you've ever done for love?
For the record, I've never chewed on an aileron or overhead bin, but I've definitely done some crazy things. I'd better leave it at that.

8. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud centers on a character who holds on too long to his dead brother. What kind of loss have you experienced in your life?
My father passed away suddenly about 10 years ago. He was only 64, in great health, and looking forward to so much life ahead. It was one of those inexplicable, awful shocks that reminds us we all hang by a thread. If you haven't joined the miserable club when you lose a parent, count your blessings. Over the years, a few friends and colleagues have also died, and they're often in my thoughts. Everyone suffers loss - there's no escaping it - and my goal in writing this book was to explore the difficult choices we face in trying to heal and move on. Holding on too long, I believe, often hurts us, and maybe hurts them too.

9. The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud describes a kind of middle ground where spirits go as they make the transition to the other side. Is this what you believe about the afterlife?
All religions have afterlife myths, and I respect every view. I don't pretend to have answers and what I describe in Charlie St. Cloud is simply my hope for what comes next. It's a wishful depiction of what lies beyond. Over the years, I've read widely on topics ranging from near death experiences to the afterlife and I tend to approach these issues with a journalist's skepticism and desire for proof. That said, I've found the bestselling books and lectures of my friend Rosemary Altea, a renowned spirit medium, to be particularly fascinating. During my research and writing, I was fortunate to speak with her about the spirit world and the way she believes it works. In the end, I'm not sure anyone can ever fathom the mysteries of life and death, and maybe it's better that way. My only hope is that Charlie St. Cloud offers some possibilities for those in search and some comfort for those in need.

10. What are you reading right now and who are your favorite writers?
I'm currently reading a lot of non-fiction books on the science of memory for my next novel. Beyond that, I have many favorites. First and foremost, I love the authors who've supported my new book with such generous words: Joanne Harris, Sue Monk Kidd, James Patterson, Luanne Rice, Nicholas Sparks, and Adriana Trigiani. Among the greats, I gravitate toward Jorge Luis Borges, Willa Cather, Wallace Stegner and Mark Twain. In contemporary fiction, I'm a fan of Fannie Flagg, Nick Hornby, Michael Ondaatje, Gabriel García Márquez, Ha Jin, Ann Patchett, Anita Shreve, and Darin Strauss. I should also mention a few friends who are wonderful writers of fiction and non-fiction: Marcus Buckingham, Bruce Feiler, Stan Pottinger, Julia Slavin, and Joseph Weisberg. I heartily recommend you check out their latest works.

11. Why do you think each of your books has been sold to the movies? What are your favorite films?
I hope my stories have sold to the movies because they're emotionally and visually engaging. I've got too many favorite films to list, but here are a few: Lawrence of Arabia, The Killing Fields, Year of Living Dangerously, Out of Africa, Vertigo, Forrest Gump, Big, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and of course, a film my wife worked on: A Beautiful Mind.

12. What advice do you have for new writers?
I wouldn't presume to offer advice. However, I would say: Never take no for answer. And read this book if you haven't already: Renni Browne and Dave King's Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.

13. What will you be doing 10 years from now?
God willing, I'll be writing novels, practicing some form of journalism, coaching little league, and winning more games at chess. I also hope to expand my involvement in literacy programs like First Book and, wherever my family makes its home, play a greater role in the civic life of our community.