In a creative journey, it is essential, no matter how far one runs, to examine that which is closest to home.

Our minds simply don't function in some sort of narrative chronology. I think that one of the great gifts of writing fiction is being able to think about that.

The only graceful thing to do is recognize and embrace what is actually happening, rather than fight against it.

Confidence is highly overrated when it comes to creating literature. A writer who is overly confident will not engage in the struggle to get it exactly right on the page - but rather, will assume that she's getting it right without the struggle.

I think there's something about a writer's disposition, that is, even if unaware, always slightly in a witness state.

In every generation there is a vault-keeper, one who guards the links fiercely and knows they are more precious than rubies.

I'm most connected to myself when I'm alone in a room, moving my hand across a page. That's when I feel most like me.