When you write, you take the ball and you hold it up to the light and you turn it slowly, and let people draw their own conclusions. And try to bring empathy to all sides of the equation.

Even on the darkest night, my friend, life will have its way.

It's different being afraid when there's the hope it will amount to something.

Miles away from everthing and everyone I've ever known or loved. I feel as if I've entered a new era of my life. What strange places our lives carry us to.

I was a 'Planet of the Apes'-obsessed kid.

I came to Houston for a job, the reason most people move halfway across the country with a first grader and a five-week-old. I came here to teach at Rice.

Writers who pretend that everything they're doing is completely new are full of it.