Sometimes you just have to try, even if you know it won’t work.

Once someone gets a little escape velocity going, ain't no play in the world that will keep them from leaving.

We're accepted as long as we conform to what we are expected to be, and I'm sure that's not any different for anyone else.

You can't regret the life you didn't lead.

Every time you hear anyone talk about the Caribbean, whether it's Caribbeans themselves or people outside, there's always talk about women's bodies. Talk about this voluptuousness, this kind of stereotype of what a Caribbean person is. And I think these are stereotypes that even people inside the culture, we actually sometimes claim them and we're very proud.

Character is the plot in many ways

We all dream dreams of unity, of purity; we all dream that there's an authoritative voice out there that will explain things, including ourselves. If it wasn't for our longing for these things, I doubt the novel or the short story would exist in its current form. I'm not going to say much more on the topic. Just remember: In dictatorships, only one person is really allowed to speak. And when I write a book or a story, I too am the only one speaking, no matter how I hide behind my characters.