I think writers would do better to consider that idea [to write to yourself], because you know yourself really well, and you never know your demographic fully. You only get into trouble if you try to please somebody you don't really understand.

We live on top of the created world, I think to myself, not in it.

Meaningful stories have lots and lots of conflict. If we avoid conflict, our stories won't be meaningful.

If we hear, in our inner ear, a voice saying we are failures, we are losers, we will never amount to anything, this is the voice of Satan trying to convince the bride that the groom does not love her. This is not the voice of God. God woos us with kindness. He changes out of character with the passion of his love.

There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very authentically looking for truth.

I think the things we want most in life, the things we think will set us free, are not the thing we need.

...I want my spirituality to rid me of hate, not give me reason for it.