WHAT ARE YOU READING?

You know, I started reading "The Life of Pi," but then I started reading "The Colony" only because it was getting all that negative press. I have this theory that when you see something three times, you act on it the fourth time. So the fourth time I saw an article on it, I went out and bought it.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT IT?

It's really kind of fascinating — the research aspect of the book: the things he found out about who was there and who arrived, the names. I really understand the Hansen's patients' anger at the author for being misled. That's their story and I totally understand the kind of betrayal they must have felt. But I wrote historical fiction and understand how grueling the research can be.

YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR MOST RECENT NOVEL, "BEHOLD THE MANY"?

Yeah. That was historical fiction, and I think his is historical creative nonfiction. But it's not strictly a historical document. It was captivating. It kept me engaged.

DOES READING JOHN TAYMAN'S BOOK INSPIRE YOU TO WRITE MORE HISTORICAL FICTION OR EVEN BRANCH INTO HISTORICAL NONFICTION?

No. It's a really hard genre. Sometimes the research is more fascinating than the story you're telling. Your writing almost pales in comparison to the research or the place — it becomes more interesting than your own retelling. I'm not really attached to any story right now. I keep myself busy with my writing school. I'm waiting for my muse.