Becoming a mother has helped make me a tougher, stronger writer.

It's not just NYU. There are days when I feel like I'm stranded in some upscale mall in Pasadena. Don't even get me started on the insidious transformation of Bleecker Street!

I'm an underdog person, so I align myself with those who seem to be not considered valuable in polite society.

Life is not simple, and people can't be boxed into being either heroes or villains.

My identity is linked to my grandmother, who's pure Filipino, as pure as you can probably get. And that shaped my imagination. So that's how I identify.

There are certain regions in the country where the indigenous people eat dogs.

Music is very influential to my writing, as are theater and film.