Don’t underestimate this gift of finding a place in the writing world: if you really work at describing creatively on paper the truth as you understand it, as you have experienced it, with the people or material who are in you, who are asking that you help them get written, you will come to a secret feeling of honor.

These are pictures of the people in my family where we look like the most awkward and desperate folk you ever saw, poster children for the human condition.

It's intrusive for grandparents to think they're in charge. It's manipulative. Also, it's self-destructive, since if the parents have to resist you, you won't get your mitts on the kid as often.

I get thirsty people glasses of water, even if that thirsty person is just me.

Everything takes me forever. It's all lurch, flail. I hope that is good news to you writers.

if you want to know how God feels about money, look at whom she gives it to.

There is ecstasy in paying attention.