This story about good food begins in a quick-stop convenience market.

What keeps you going isn't some fine destination but just the road you're on, and the fact that you know how to drive.

Beginning a novel is always hard. It feels like going nowhere. I always have to write at least 100 pages that go into the trashcan before it finally begins to work. It's discouraging, but necessary to write those pages. I try to consider them pages -100 to zero of the novel.

...whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. And peace will be with you.

People love to read about sins and errors, but not their own.

I lost a child," she said, meeting Lusa's eyes directly. "I thought I wouldn't live through it. But you do. You learn to love the place somebody leaves behind for you.

If you ask me, when something extraordinary shows up in your life in the middle of the night, you give it a name and make it the best home you can.