All parents should be aware that when they mock or curse gay people, they may be mocking or cursing their own child.

The women of my mother's generation had, in the main, only one decision to make about their lives: who they would marry. From that, so much else followed: where they would live, in what sort of conditions, whether they would be happy or sad or, so often, a bit of both. There were roles and there were rules.

I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and one of the things I like to say is that one of the biggest impediments I had to becoming a successful writer is I had a very happy childhood.

A writer is always working with whatever she's managed to store in the brainpan or puzzle out about the world.

I hope readers will do what I do when I read a novel I like: talk in ways that will illuminate their own lives.

Maybe crazy is just the word we use for feelings that will not be contained.

I'm very optimistic. I think if you would describe me, my pretty consistent affect is that I'm a pretty happy person.