When you begin writing a mystery, do you already know how it is going to end? Absolutely, yes. I've heard that there are some writers who like to start and see where the creative winds blow them, but personally I find it better to know who the killer is and why they did the killing then work your way back plotting it all out. That way you don't ever get boxed in a corner. This approach also allows you to lay out clues and red herrings along the way, rather than having to go back and add them when you've figured out the killer by chapter 20. Who are some of the authors that you admire and/or get inspiration from? I'm a rabid mystery reader and there are so many authors I enjoy. My absolute favorite is the Inspector Wexford series by Ruth Rendell. She gives you all the clues and if you're very, very clever you can figure it out. Or, if you're like me, you go "Oh, god I should have known that" at the end. Are you and Bailey alike in any way? I'm like Bailey in that I have an irreverent sense of humor, but because of my job I'm really only able to show that to a small group of people. It's been wonderful to run with it in my books. I'm also like Bailey in that I love puzzles. I had a situation several years ago at work where a couple of people on staff were doing something very nasty, and I loved figuring out who the culprits were. But unlike Bailey I'm terrified of physical risk. I would never do some of the things she does go into abandoned buildings or hunt down dangerous crazy people. How do you find the time to write novels with a family and such a high-profile job? People often ask me how I do it and I almost feel a little embarrassed because they make it seem so extraordinary but it really isn't. First and foremost, it's possible because my kids are older now — 14 and 17. I could never have done it when my kids were small but now they don't want to hang out with me as much no matter how much I beg them. Plus, they sleep until 11:30 on Saturday and Sunday. So I use that time to write. Also, I don't really have any other hobbies other than cooking. I can't sing, play a musical instrument, excel at sports, draw, quilt, knit or decoupage. So writing mysteries is my hobby. As the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine, what is your typical day like? It really varies a lot. Two weeks of every month are what we call the closing period when we're finishing up an issue and shipping it. Most magazines have shorter closing periods but because Cosmo often features as many as 160 editorial pages, it just takes longer to finish it. During those two weeks I'm totally bound to the office and generally spend every lunch hour at my desk. I'm either reading copy or meeting with the art department to look at layouts or film from shoots, and most importantly the cover. Closing is always an exciting time of the month but always so frustrating because I'm so desk bound. Sometimes it feels like I'm putting on a backyard play with a bunch of kids in my neighborhood and by the end I just feel desperate for a change of scenery. During the other two weeks, there are still a lot of editorial decisions to make but I try to go to lunches with contacts, do research and really brainstorm with people on staff about how the magazine should evolve in the future. So many people who write say it's hard to get started and stay with it. Any tips? Yes, I have a great one. When I was in my 20's, I was a procrastinator. I found reasons to interview some of the top time management experts. One of them gave me a great tip. Break daunting tasks down into manageable bits. So I started my books by telling myself I only had to write 15 minutes a day. Inevitably, I got into the work and kept going.