The world could bring you poison in a jewelled cup, or surprising gifts. Sometimes you didn't know which of them it was.

Writing is never, ever easy but I wake up every morning grateful for the gift of being able to do this.

Liu Fang is a truly gifted, world-famous player of the pipa and the guzheng, classical Chinese stringed instruments.

She had been a solitary child, and then solitary as a woman, drawn into an orbit of her own that took her away from others, even those who would be her friends.

Lazy poets try to elicit a reader's response with words designed to tug at the heart.

What mortal knew the way their fate line would run?

In this world, where we find ourselves, we need compassion more than anything, I think, or we are all alone.