I realize, of course, that I wasn't born knowing how to read. I just can't imagine a time when I didn't know how.

Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.

I think, she began quietly, I think we want... not just bread for our bellies. We want more than only bread. We want food for our hearts, our souls. We want- how to say it? We want, you know- Puccini music.... we want for our beautiful children some beauty. She leaned over and kissed the curl on her finger. We want roses.

Once a book is published, it no longer belongs to me. My creative task is done. The work now belongs to the creative mind of my readers. I had my turn to make of it what I would, now it is their turn.

The difference between writing a story and simply relating past events is that a story, in order to be acceptable, must have shape and meaning. It is the old idea that art is the bringing of order out of chaos.

Mandarin ducks mate for life and will die of loneliness if separated from their chosen mate.

Sometimes you need to give people something that's for them, not just something that makes you feel good giving it.