I think we are bound to, and by, nature. We may want to deny this connection and try to believe we control the external world, but every time there's a snowstorm or drought, we know our fate is tied to the world around us

Ironically, now that my children are older and gone quite a bit, I find it harder to work when they're not around. Too much free time!

There was the blue sky above her and all those many roses, the ones that gave off the scent of cloves in the rain and the ones that left a trace of lemon on your fingers, the ones that were the color of blood, and those that were as white as clouds. Each one was sweeter than the next and as red as gemstones.

I was beginning to understand.My grandmother's love was cold because she was afraid of things;that was why everything had to be perfect.

Anyway, the sort of love that will not wait is probably best to pass by

What I like about fairy tales is the language and the matter-of-fact way of introducing magic, where it's accepted that a fox could talk or a gate could just appear in a wall. I think fairy tales are so psychological.

Every time I finish a book, I forget everything I learned writing it - the information just disappears out of my head