When I'm writing poetry, 99.9% of my writing begins in English. I spent most of my life in English, although I am bilingual.

I will never know what it's like to have only one language in my head. I have the pleasure of being able to move back and forth between Spanish and English, and I incorporate both languages in my books.

I often focus more on language than on the conveying of information.

If we're trying to excite young people about reading, we need to be experiencingbookjoy ourselves so that we have references to make. It's important to be able to say, "You know, I read the most wonderful poem the other day. Let me tell you about it."

I want children who feel embarrassed because they speak Spanish to realize that there are places where the beautiful Spanish they speak is an asset.

Your Texas is no different than my Texas.

I write because I am curious. I am curious about me.