It bothers them that instead of taking on the role of abandoned lover, I have become a happy wife. They relish seeing strong women like you and me humiliated. They cannot forgive us that we triumphed where so many others fail...Courage is a virtue appreciated in a male but considered a defect in our gender. Bold women are a threat to a world that is out of balance, in favor of men. That is why they work so hard to mistreat and destroy us.

It's going to go away because we all need silence. We all need time to reflect and think. I am not at all pessimistic about this.

What I fear most is power with impunity. I fear abuse of power, and the power to abuse.

People think that they will sit down and produce the great American novel in one sitting. It doesn't work that way. This is a very patient and meticulous work, and you have to do it with joy and love for the process, not for the outcome.

Writing is a constant exercise in longing.

Words are not that important when you recognize intentions.

Only in romance novels or in thrillers people live outside of a social and political context.