If we grew up with nothing, we're complicated with that. That's the thing I keep hearing from people.

How do we live the writer's life? There's only one simple answer: 'we write.'

Our teachers are everywhere. Our teachers are right in front of us, and take so many forms. All we need to do is to open our eyes, to be open to and aware of the possibilities. Otherwise, we walk sightless among miracles.

I do keep a tiny little journal in which I write passages that I read and want to hold on to. This practice is sort of the opposite of Twitter.

We're all simultaneously separated and connected by our devices, staring into our little screens, and also hungry for experience and community.

Strange - I'm not much of a film person. I love watching films, but they don't stay with me the way books do. Stranger still, because my husband is a screenwriter!

My desk is covered with talismans: pieces of rose quartz, wishing stones from a favorite beach.