Hon, when someone's a true friend, there's no need to miss 'em." She patted her chest. "'Cause they're always right here.

The year has held its ups and downs for me; I'm sure it has for you, too. I'm counting on the year ending on a note of joy (and gingerbread!) and look forward to a new year brimming with promise and peace.

I think if you find your passion and you go with it you are rewarded.

Character is everything, especially these days when that's what publishers are asking for. Make sure that yours have child appeal. Also don't have a huge cast of characters. One or two is best, four, the maximum.

Sir if I was your daughter I would wait until this train started again and throw myself in front of it!

I gotta pound the keys for the ideas to flow.

[Rejection] made me quit writing once. For six months. I started up again when my then seven-year-old son asked me to start writing again because I was too grumpy when I wasn't writing.