I could write an entertaining novel about rejection slips, but I fear it would be overly long.

The richest most meaningful stories are found in small places: made, carried, crafted, told, and retold by apparently unimportant people.

Don't call 'em dogs. Dogs are loyal and they run after balls.

The importance and influence of books on me has been cumulative: the result of hearing and reading lots of stories about interesting people and places.

Never give up. And most importantly, be true to yourself. Write from your heart, in your own voice, and about what you believe in.

I bought a selection of short, romantic fiction novels, studied them, decided that I had found a formula and then wrote a book that I figured was the perfect story. Thank goodness it was rejected.

I don't envy men and I certainly wouldn't like to become one now.