I never thought I'd be doing poetry books. I never really studied poetry. But the first one I did was after my mother died, and I realized that people sort of think and talk about her style and fashion, but in fact, what made her the person she was was really her love of reading and ideas.

When you make the right decision, it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks.

Well I've been writing books. So that, by its nature, is kind of a solitary occupation. And from time to time I have research help, but mostly I've done those completely on my own.

I am, you know, a Democrat through and through. I've always voted Democratic. You know, that is where my heart lies.

The amazing thing about the winners is that none of them really felt that they were doing anything special. They just felt like it was the right thing to do.

Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that you're giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.

I enjoy writing. I enjoy that kind of process.