I tried to write poems in rhyme. I tried writing songs. Sometimes I jotted down a thought. I would keep a log of spontaneous thoughts.

I think that through the narratives of other people you get closer to your own.

It's really hard when you read literature in a language that's not your own. There are all these cultural references you have to be born into that particular language to get.

I am a community social psychologist and a lot of my work deals with social work and helping people overcoming addiction and trauma.

Sometimes the mere connection we make with each other can change people's lives. It doesn't have to be something big. The mere fact that you're interested in them makes them happy.

I think every person has a unique story to tell and we each have the different life events that happen to us and sometimes we may feel sympathetic toward a certain aspect of that life event.

I have a great advantage: I write from the perspective of my own voice. I'm not copying anyone's voice. It's my voice. I have the advantage of being a writer of English as a second language.