Maggie Shipstead takes hold of the reader and doesn't let go. Astonish Me is a haunting, powerful novel.

You have to believe in yourself before the world has given you any indication that you should believe in yourself as a writer.

Our pain is a part of who we authentically are.

If there's anything weirder than an introverted writer going to lots of social functions, it's an introverted writer being converted into an accidental guru.

Courage is more important than confidence

I don't want to lean back into the past, or forward into the future. I don't want to wish the present moment away.

There’s a great expression in Twelve Step programs: Act as if. Act as if you’re a writer. Sit down and begin. Act as if you might just create something beautiful, and by beautiful I mean something authentic and universal. Don’t wait for anybody to tell you it’s okay. Take that shimmer and show us our humanity. That’s your job.