The forbidden things were a great influence on my life. I was forbidden from reading A Catcher in the Rye.

I think I've always been somebody, since the deaths of my father and brother, who was afraid to hope. So, I was more prepared for failure and for rejection than for success.

You must think for yourself, what you must do. If someone tells you, then you are not trying. -An-mei

You can get sucked into the idea that, 'Gosh, this is impressive. Maybe I should do this. It will look good.' Or 'I'll write like this because it will impress that critic.'

I hid my deepest feelings so well I forgot where I placed them.

If you are greedy, what is inside you is what makes you always hungry.

Too many good things all seem the same after a while.