Ann Patchett has a happy marriage. But the award-winning author of Bel Canto, State of Wonder and other novels never expected to publish a book about it. In this revealing interview, Patchett talks about the life lessons that led to This is the Story of a Happy Marriage, a collection of articles and essays about love, loss and the power of forgiveness.

Find out how Patchett survived the turbulent end of her first marriage, and why Time Magazine calls her one of the “most influential people in the world.”