I got a huge knot in my stomach because if Antarctica could talk, it would be saying only one thing: you don't belong here. (277)

I think one of the good things about writing novels is that you always start from scratch.

This is why you must love life: one day you're offering up your social security number to the Russian Mafia; two weeks later you're using the word calve as a verb.

When I'm creatively solving problems, I'm in my sweet spot, and nothing can take me out of that joyful present.

Can you believe the weather?'...'Actually, I CAN believe the weather. What I can't believe is that I'm actually having a conversation about the weather.

My day is not that fun-filled or that filled usually with complications.

Hovering over me was the Chihuly chandelier. Chihulys are the pigeons of Seattle. They're everywhere and even if they don't get in your way, you can't help but build up a kind of antipathy toward them.