It's easier in an urban world to cast the blame outward. So I've learned a lot about my own process in that way.

I was doing a lot of yoga and learning to meditate, and I found that extremely helpful, and still do and hopefully always will.

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

As writers, it is our job not only to imagine, but to witness.

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

When I was growing up, I had no idea that I could possibly become a writer. I wrote endlessly in journals - a practice I maintained for a long time, well into the writing life I had no idea I could ever have.

What was going on inside of me became louder because everything around me became quieter.