I've written a lot of novels for teens and tweens ... but I'd never really tackled the North Carolina side of me. And it's so strong and so important, and yet I hadn't acknowledged it. And so one of the things I wanted to do in "Shine" is take that on.

I'm in loooove with this boy, and when you in love with someone, you don't give up on 'em, mo matter what.

It's unfair how the kids who are starving for attention tended to be so annoying that people had no inclination to give it to them.

If everyone started off the day singing, just think how happy they'd be.

Every girl on the planet was familiar to one-last-time e-mail checks.

Yes, that man acted ugly," she told us in plain English. "But throwing more ugliness back at him ain't the answer.

Just because you're into Kate...well, it doesn't necessarily mean you're gay. Although it's okay if you are. But if that's what's worrying you...' Ariel sighed. 'God. It shouldn't be so hard to talk about this stuff. All I'm saying is maybe you're gay and maybe you're not. Maybe you're bi. Or maybe it's totally a Kate thing. Maybe you'd want to be with her whether she was a girl or a boy.' I blinked. I didn't know if what she said made things better or worse.