In terms of my marriage, you know, falling in love with my husband was by far the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I enjoy writing. I enjoy that kind of process.

My mother ... had a very deep inner spirituality that allowed her to rebuild her life. It's extraordinary that she had such a strong sense of self and such a commitment to the future and such a strong creative sense that she could build new worlds for herself and for us out of the total devastation in her 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.

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.

The most beautiful people are all in the library.

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