The more a daughter knows the details of her mother's life [...] the stronger the daughter.

I got nice rejections explaining that historical fiction was a difficult sell. But I kept trying.

I wanted to cry, but I realized that I was too old for that. I would be a woman soon and I would have to learn how to live with a divided heart.

One of my favorite poets, Neruda, writes close to the bone. Though I know only a little Spanish, I like to compare the Spanish and English lines and see how the translator worked.

I tell writers to keep reading, reading, reading. Read widely and deeply. And I tell them not to give up even after getting rejection letters. And only write what you love.

One of my great secrets was knowing I had the power to make her smile.

If you want to understand any woman, you must first ask about her mother and then listen carefully.