Nothing teaches you as much about writing dialogue as listening to it.

I am not scared of you, I am scare of these feelings.

I don't necessarily want to talk about a book that I read. Even when I love it.

I'm a rewriter. That's the part I like best . . . once I have a pile of paper to work with, it's like having the pieces of a puzzle. I just have to put the pieces together to make a picture.

I use a computer, but before I begin each new book I keep a notebook. I write down everything that comes to mind during that period before I actually begin. It might take months or weeks. That notebook is my security blanket so that I never have to face a blank screen (or blank page). But I print out often and my best ideas usually come with a pencil in my hand.

"Margaret" was just my truth. It was what I knew to be true about sixth grade.

I have like two dreams a week that I have to write a paper that I'm late with or that I've gone back to high school and have to do that in addition to my current job.