Many people today believe that cynicism requires courage. Actually, cynicism is the height of cowardice. It is innocence and open-heartednes s that requires the true courage -- however often we are hurt as a result of it.

My generation of young female writers discovered that we could dictate the form and content of our own fiction.

There is a rhythm to the ending of a marriage just like the rhythm of a courtship, only backward.

Denounce useless guilt. Don’t make a cult of suffering. Live in the now(or at least the soon). Always do the things you fear most. Courage is an acquired taste like caviar. Trust all joy. If the evil eye fixes you in its gaze, look elsewhere. Get ready to be 87.

You must have a certain amount of maturity to be a poet. Seldom do sixteen-year-olds know themselves well enough.

Eating is never so simple as hunger.

If we ban whatever offends any group in our diverse society, we will soon have no art, no culture, no humor, no satire. Satire is by its nature offensive. So is much art and political discourse. The value of these expressions far outweighs their risk.