I know that I am very popular in Holland, in fact I have visited Amsterdam several times to publicize my books. I have a great publisher in Holland and they have published all of my books in Dutch.

I really fall in love with my characters, even the bad ones. I love getting together with them. They tell me what to do; they take me on a wild and wonderful trip.

I was never confident about finishing a book, but friends encouraged me. When I finished my first book, it was accepted by a publisher right away and became an instant bestseller. One male critic called it the most shocking book he ever read.

I write synopses after the book is completed. I can't write it beforehand, because I don't know what the book's about. I invent something for my publisher because he asks for one, but the final book ends up very differently.

If you want to achieve your dreams, you must follow them, and the best way to follow them is not to think about wanting to be very rich, but to think about doing something that you really want to do.

The husbands, who sometimes have another family who's grown, are going, Now I can spend time with my baby. Oh yeah, I bet your other family is really thrilled.

Agents are essential, because publishers will not read unsolicited manuscripts.

Brittany Murphy... who knows if she's going to be around. Kirsten Dunst, I think she's really boring. Reese Witherspoon? She can open a movie.

I am currently talking to one of the studios about making American Star as a TV series.

I managed to take a family trip to the Bahamas and it was quite lovely.

I think I'm a born storyteller. Inspiration is all around me. I can read a newspaper article and come up with an idea for a book.

I write about real people in disguise. If anything, my characters are toned down-the truth is much more bizarre.

I write about the American dream: if you set your mind to do something, you can do it. My fans know they're getting the real thing.

Ideas are all around me. If I wasn't interested in them myself, I don't think anyone else would be either.

My philosophy is, unless you're sick and need help, why bother?

My weakness is wearing too much leopard print.

People are intrigued by fame, power and wealth and I think Hollywood is the only place where you get all three together.

The biggest critics of my books are people who never read them.

Whatever you have a passion for, then you must do. If you want to write, write about something you know about.

Where was Paris Hilton a year ago? She's a fabulous character to write about.