It's hard for me to write about anything personal because I get way too personal.

My original book [Straight to the Heart: Political Cantos] was 1,700 pages. The first editor brought it down to 700; there was a lot that didn't make it in. But at last it's finished. I had a hard time signing off on it. And I was worried about it hurting anyone I loved even indirectly. I sat in my room afterwards for two hours wondering what I had done. I wondered about it being judged and if people would understand.

My success has been based on the issues. It's easy to fight for mental health or needle exchange or small businesses or whatever, because the machine can't interfere.

People have always thought I was "on" something. After a while I began to think they knew something I didn't know! But I don't know, I just love living. And I love doing what I do.

The last thing I would ever do though is actively work against another woman.

There's no question that I have always wanted to be mayor. I know I am strategically not supposed to be saying that, but I don't care.

I really, really, loved being an elected official. But I also love what I'm doing now. I thrive when I can fight for people and I'm doing it now as a lawyer.