I'm one of those writers who, when writing, believes she's god-and that she hasn't bestowed free will on any of her characters. In that sense there are no surprises in any of my books.
It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.
If it's never our fault, we can't take responsibility for it. If we can't take responsibility for it, we'll always be its victim.