I think that hurting gives us a way to measure being happy. How can you know one without knowing the other.

Pain and suffering are the soil of strength and courage.

I'll cover you in flowers someday, Julie-girl.

What really grabs me is when a reader writes to express her personal story and how a book helped her situation, or her acceptance of a situation she can't change. I read some sad cases in my snail and electronic mail. I respond to all I can, affirming that they are the true heroes of life because they are fighting through adversity and surviving.

We all didn't come into to the world at the same time so it makes sense that we don't leave it at the same time.

I wanted to show what it's really like for 98 percent of the world's population [in the third world]. Plus, I also see there are an awful lot of young people out there doing good things, and I wanted to give them a platform.

I can be around kids if I need to be.