My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully, and yell for help if you need it.

I was sick all the time, one exotic illness after another, which lasted throughout my twenties. My worst decade. But from the day the first book was accepted, I never got sick again. Writing changed my life.

You've never been in love," she said. "You don't understand." "If being in love means giving up your freedom, not to mention your opportunities," Caitlin said, "Then I haven't missed anything.

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

Heavy petting, that was fun! That was good. And frankly, you know I wish kids would go back to it. It's very satisfying. And it's not as scary. So many girls, you know this. I mean they are having what we call sex. Right? They're having intercourse. They don't want to, they don't get anything out of it.

What's the point of thinking about how it's going to end when it's just the beginning?

That's good when you don't know what you're doing. But you're doing it and it's spontaneous and you're not afraid.