For some of us, good books and beautiful writing are our ultimate solace, even more comforting than exquisite food.

E-books are great for instant gratification - you see a review somewhere of a book that interests you, and you can start reading it five minutes later.

The society to which we belong seems to be dying or is already dead. I don't mean to sound dramatic, but clearly the dark side is rising. Things could not have been more odd and frightening in the Middle Ages. But the tradition of artists will continue no matter what form the society takes. And this is another reason to write: people need us, to mirror for them and for each other without distortion-not to look around and say, 'Look at yourselves, you idiots!,' but to say, 'This is who we are.

After a while the middle-aged person who lives in her head begins to talk to her soul, the kid.

There is a door we all want to walk through and writing can help you find it and open it.

Forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a better past.

One thing I know for sure about raising children is that every single day a kid needs discipline.... But also every single day a kid needs a break.