I have met women who don't have close women friends, and I've always been like, "How could that possibly be?"

Lately, I'd been feeling like I was standing outside watching everything and everybody. Wishing I could take the part of me that was over there and the part of me that was over here and push them together—make myself into one whole person like everybody else.

I couldnt be a writer without hope. I think I became a writer because Im pretty optimistic.

There is something so deeply visceral about libraries for me-rooms and rooms full of people dreaming and remembering.

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

Even with all of its changing, Brooklyn's architecture still feels like home, the language feels like home. It's changing so quickly that it's surprising. It's surprising still, when someone looks kind of askance to see me walking towards them.

Keep on doing what you're doing.