If you're standing in the manure pile, it's somebody's job to mention the stink.

It's very important to distinguish between innocence and naivete. The innocent do not deserve to be the victims of violence. But only the naive refuse to think about the origins of violence and to pursue the possibility that the genesis of that hatred could be addressed.

I live in a rural part of Virginia surrounded by farms and farmers.

Back then I was still appalled that God would set down his barefoot boy and girl dollies into an Eden where, presumably, He had just turned loose elephantiasis and microes that eat the human cornea. Now I understand, God is not just rooting fo the dollies.

If it's important, your heart remembers.

There was a roaring in my ears and I lost track of what they were saying. I believe it was the physical manifestation of unbearable grief.

I write every moment that is humanly possible. I write every day and every night. The only discipline I lack is the discipline is to quit.