You are thirst and thirst is all I know

I think writing books is a way for me to work out certain issues. I write about what matters to me, always.

Why do we smile? Why do we laugh? Why do we feel alone? Why are we sad and confused? Why do we read poetry? Why do we cry when we see a painting? Why is there a riot in the heart when we love? Why do we feel shame? What is that thing in the pit of your stomach called desire?

If you want to be a writer, you don't want to live in a comfortable place.

If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.

Words were different when they lived inside of you.

We have this huge discourse on family in this country, but no one deconstructs it the same way. People talk about "the American family." The right wing has this thing - Focus on the Family. What the hell is that? I don't want to just discuss the issues - I want family to be a real part of the character of the novels I write, and I don't like to write things that feel like issue books.