I like to read away as much of the afternoon as possible, until real life rears its ugly head.

The very first thing I tell my new students on the first day of a workshop is that good writing is about telling the truth. We are a species that needs and wants to understand who we are. Sheep lice do not seem to share this longing, which is one reason they write so very little. But we do. We have so much we want to say and figure out.

The first holy truth in God 101 is that men and women of true faith have always had to accept the mystery of God's identity and love and ways. I hate that, but it's the truth.

If God was giving me a ham, I'd be crazy not to receive it. Maybe it was the ham of God, who takes away the sins of the world.

Good writing is about telling the truth.

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.

You can either practice being right or practice being kind.