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

We don't ruminate during a fight. Maybe in a bath, or driving a car, or as we take a walk. But not right smack in the middle of a dramatic moment.

I do strongly identify with being Jewish. I was raised Orthodox and had a childhood complicated by the fact that my father was deeply religious and my mother was not.

It's essential to have sacred time for writing. All successful authors have some daily commitment to keep on-track and moving forward.

I did want to feel like life's all of one piece.

The writing life requires courage, patience, persistence, empathy, openness, and the ability to deal with rejection. It requires the willingness to be alone with oneself. To be gentle with oneself. To look at the world without blinders on. To observe and withstand what one sees. To be disciplined, and at the same time, take risks. To be willing to fail - not just once, but again and again, over the course of a lifetime.

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