When you approach the second half of your life, you start to unconsciously consider what you're passing on. As a writer, that's obviously part of what you're doing. And as a teacher, that's another way of passing on information, history, or whatever you have.

I think a woman who commits adultery, is not sympathetic in our culture - or in many cultures, let's face it.

Human beings look so different from each other, voices are so different, everything about us is so individual, and that's so exciting and juicy and appealing, and we're attached to these things and they're so fascinating and beautiful - I don't just mean model-beautiful, but all the individual forms that people can take.

I think the closest thing I can come to defining what that vital thing is for me - is that there's a sort of soul-quality in writing, if it's any good. It has a spirit or an energy to it that is very integral to who the writer is on a deep level. It's almost a cellular thing. It takes place in the cells of the writing, and it is what makes it alive or not.

Of course there’s something there; unfortunately, there’s always something ‘there.’ Something you will one day be sorry you saw.

I think people hold back all kinds of things. And in a way, they just want to be nice. They want to be civil.

I think women who are very creative and giving members of society can be respected and accepted.