Talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. Please remember that your difficulties do not define you. They simply strengthen your ability to overcome.

When asked how she knows when her writing is where she wants it to be: "I know when it's the best I can do. It may not be the best there is. Another writer may do it much better. But I know when it's the best I can do. I know that one of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, 'No. No, I'm finished. Bye.' And leaving it alone. I will not write it into the ground. I will not write the life out of it. I won't do that."

I'm a religious woman. And I feel I have responsibility. I have no modesty at all. I'm even afraid of it - it's a learned affectation and it's just stuck on me like decals. Now I pray for humility because that comes from inside out.

I think music is one of the hero/sheroes of the African-American existence.

In Stamps the segregation was so complete that most Black children didn't really, absolutely know what whites looked like.

Thank you, always say thank you; it's the greatest gift you can give someone; because thank you is what you say to God.