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.

I've been a Democrat all my life.

Most of the books that I've written have been focused on, sort of, the individual, and sort of, either a voice, a personal voice, or a kind of transforming event where they step forward to fight for something they value.

I think that the presidency really brings out the best in a lot of people.

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.

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

I know my mother so well, so it's hard for me to remember that people have a certain image of her, but they don't really know her personality.