I have a lot of survivor insticts, and I know when to quit. I know when to go forward it my life, but not everybody does.

When I lived in Seattle and Oregon, we partied, which is a large reason I don't know drugs or alcohol now because I saw the Destruction of so many great musicians and artists.

I don't mean that to be egotistical, but I'm not writing fluff. I'm not writing for 8-year-olds. I'm a woman and I'm a rock girl.

I quickly learned to take anger and use it to motivate me. My sister ran away from home, and she was my world. And that was that. The guitar became my world.

I can write songs without a guitar.

I've also been writing for other artists, producing other artists, doing some country stuff. Those lyrics I tend to leave more universal.

Growing up in the Northwest, I did play in an all-girl band. I snuck into clubs. No one ever questioned or thought twice about it.