Some people want fame, popularity and huge sales. I've always hoped to have a really long career. So I've tried to make each of my creative decisions and business decisions to allow for longevity. As a side effect I got really famous and really big. I didn't realize the two could go together.

Lots of people have gone from public housing to do great things in the world and have a tremendous sense of duty to their fellow man because of it.

I'm half alive but I feel mostly dead.

It's important to cultivate a tolerance and patience with uncomfortable feelings. It's best to feel them.

Writing with privacy is paramount. You must feel free to admit to yourself your deepest, darkest secrets and true feelings.

I try to give myself permission to be a work-in-progress and not have everything figured out at once. It's more manageable and takes some of the pressure off of feeling like I have to have everything right all the time.

It's really fun to see young kids trying to find excellence in themselves.