Yes, 'Black Girl/White Girl' might be described as a 'coming-of-age' novel, at least for the survivor Genna. It is also intended as a comment on race relations in America more generally: we are 'roommates' with one another, but how well do we know one another?

The suicide does not play the game, does not observe the rules. He leaves the party too soon, and leaves the other guests painfully uncomfortable.

What does it mean to be born? After we die, will it be the same thing as it was before we were born? Or a different kind of nothingness? Because there might be knowledge then. Memory.

People might be surprised to know how much I throw away. For every page I publish, I throw 10 pages away.

The only people who claim that money is not important are people who have enough money so that they are relieved of the ugly burden of thinking about it.

When people say there is too much violence in my books, what they are saying is there is too much reality in life.

To be knocked out doesn't mean what it seems. A boxer does not have to get up.