I heard a white writer say, 'Oh, I'd never put black people in my writing, I'm afraid I would offend someone by doing it wrong.' I can't bear that!

Somehow we have to detach from feeling as though money is a quick and easy standard by which we can gauge how well we're doing.

You can't tell a writer they should just be more confident.

I don't think a white person can write accurately and convincingly about what black people experience of oppression.

Being part of a community of writers is huge. I really think that's why people go to MFA programs.

I've been astonished how often, when I convince a writer to tell a story more straightforwardly and to tell it more simply and directly, it turns out that this author is great and the story is wonderful.

Anyone with an imagination can write about the day-to-day experiences of someone he or she is not.