I am in a mixed race marriage myself, and I have a mixed race son....The racial perception interest is probably always going to be there to some extent.

I am very active on Twitter and one thing that keeps popping up is "How do I balance having a kid and writing?" And I know it should not be as aggravating, but I know no one ever asks a male writer that. Or, any male that.

When you mention to people growing up in Cleveland they bring up the river catching on fire, or LeBron James leaving, they have these references, but no one imagines ending up there.

You don't feel like smiling? Then what? Force yourself to smile. Act as if you were already happy, and that will tend to make you happy.

I think this is something that is naturally built in in people, a need for attention and a need to be special and we are always trying to find a balance.

I'd like to think of my self as not melancholic at all, I think I'm a pretty cheerful person, really.

Being asked, "Where are you REALLY from?" It makes one feel OTHERED.