Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.'

My son is the best thing that ever happened to me. And through me - to a lot of people.

I never have written every day. When I'm writing a book, I write Monday through Friday. I always try to take Saturday and pretend to have some sanity.

I believe talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it. You can plug into it and light up a lamp, keep a heart pump going, light a cathedral, or you can electrocute a person with it. Electricity will do all that. It makes no judgment. I think talent is like that. I believe every person is born with talent.

You can only become great at something you are willing to sacrifice for

I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me.

I'm just someone who likes cooking and for whom sharing food is a form of expression.