Everyone had a reason for everything they did, even if that reason was sometimes stupidity.

Reading develops cognitive skills. It trains our minds to think critically and to question what you are told. This is why dictators censor or ban books. It's why it was illegal to teach slaves to read. It's why girls in developing countries have acid thrown in their faces when they walk to school.

People just make stupid mistakes. And they keep making them and keep making them, and suddenly they can't dig themselves out.

I never felt isolated; I just liked being alone. I think that some people are good at being alone, and some people arent, and as a child, I really liked it.

You can take my heart, but I can't let you take my dog.

If you're a smart guy, you should really try to find out what women are thinking. I mean, we are 51 percent of the population.

As a Southerner, I love obstacles for my characters.