Heroin, forget it. In my neighborhood, I could see what heroin did firsthand and I was definitely afraid of that number.

The writing is what gives me the joy, especially editing myself for the page, and getting something ready to show to the editors, and then to have a first draft and get it back and work to fix it, I love reworking, I love editing, love love love revision, revision, revision, revision.

Tell people an invisible man in the sky created all things, they believe you. Tell them what you've painted is wet, they have to touch it to believe.

Sometimes a little brain damage can help.

Surround yourself with what you love.

I have a lot of things [in me] that are childlike and innocent and sweet.

My mother didn't get home until about seven most nights and, yes, there was a sense of being very alone after school. She gave me all the proper guidance and influences, but physically, she just couldn't be there.