The word NO, carries a lot more meaning when spoken by a parent who also knows how to say yes.

It troubles me that people speak about writing for money as ugly and distasteful.

At Home in the World is the story of a young woman, raised in some difficult circumstances, and how she survives. It tells a story of redemption, not victimhood.

When I was 12 years old, I read Nancy Drew mysteries and biographies of Madame Curie and Florence Nightingale and books about girls who love horses or go to nursing school. I belonged to the Girl Scouts and got A's in school and rarely disobeyed my parents. I still kept a collection of Barbie dolls in my room, and I almost never spoke to boys.

My job is writing. I get paid to do it. When was the last time you heard someone challenge a doctor for making money off of cancer?

Long after Salinger sent me away, I continued to believe his standards and expectations were the best ones.

Although Salinger had long since cut me out of his life completely and made it plain that he had nothing but contempt for me, the thought of becoming the object of his wrath was more than I felt ready to take on.