I rewrite my books until they're mostly memorized so that's a lot of rewrites, a lot of time spent with my stories.

I've learned a lot as a writer about poetry.

Don't trust women, my mother said to me. Even the ugly ones will take what you thought was yours.

I think I'd rather have my heart broke than do the breaking. —Lena

I always say I write because I have lots of questions, not because I have any answers.

I don't know how women stop being friends with other women.

My favorite reader is one that revisits books and gets something new out of them each time.