Try to think of writing as a gift - more complexly put: it is the curse and the cure.

Writing stories is the habit of lying put to good use.

Writers are socially observant. We find people endlessly fascinating, and real life is mysterious. Sometimes it's hard to stop staring at the strut and squawk of my fellow man. They can be quite inspiring. Sometimes it's hard to stop talking to them to see what in the world they're thinking.

Weakness, like not being able to bury the past. Weakness, like not giving up hope when you know you should.

I'm about to start something new. I'm waiting to be whelmed. The whelming as you start something new is quite something.

The fact is there are many women who nod politely, even agree openly within their male-dominated often highly educated cultures, but vote their own minds.

I want women writers to write boldly, wildly, deeply. I want them to feel really liberated to tell the brutal truth, however they see that truth and are moved to tell it.