When I do it [writing] by myself, there's a lot more terror and uncertainty.

This is the great thing about writing for kids. Adults might not do anything if they recognized me. But if they do see me, and they're with a kid, they'll tell the kid who I am. They think they should give that to the kid. So generally that sends the kid over.

One, we [with Alison McGhee] laugh a lot - that was great. Two, I enjoy writing, but it's a lonely undertaking. To have someone in the room with me is an absolute delight and makes it seem less impossible. It became a kind of comforting, joyful process.

You can always trust a dog that likes peanut butter.

Minnesota has been so good to me and so pleased that I love Minnesota.

No one cared what she wanted. No one had ever cared. And perhaps, worst of all, no one ever would care.

There can be a lot of longevity in the repetition of things being told again and again in a variety of ways.