“As a hopeless romantic, I'm drawn to stories of improbable beginnings.” — Mary Kay Andrews

I wasn't always overweight. I was a skinny little punk of a kid with severe asthma. When I got married at the age of 22, I wore a cut-down size eight wedding gown.

I was supposed to be working on 'The Weekenders,' but I was blocked. I got this crazy idea that I would make Christmas stockings out of blankets.

For a writer, capturing that elusive Christmas morning magic can be deeply problematic.