I like it when my mother smiles. And I especially like it when I make her smile.

For a woman, love is the highest dream, and if a man promises to build a ladder tall enough to reach it, she believes him, hikes up her skirt, and follows him to the stars.

Everything has to be clean and orderly when I sit down to write. I have candles going, and small objects that remind me of what I am working on, or bring me into the world of the character.

Isn't this the truth of any good mother? That in all of our lives. We worry only about those we brought into this world, regardless of whether they loved us back or treated us fairly or understood our shortcomings.

I'm very organized - and the best thing - when you love your work, you don't mind putting in 15 hour days. It's joyful.

Food was celebration, conversation, and nourishment. The table is where the big decisions of the family are made and all the arguing takes place.

It's the secret to happiness, you know. Only take what you need.