I think it's hard to make a living as a writer, but I think it's hard to work at McDonald's too.... I think the commitment is to get up everyday and say, "I'm a writer, therefore what I'm supposed to do today is write." And to do that, and to do that and to do that.

Sometimes you have to show them what they want to see in order to get them to show you who they really are.

As African-Americans, we often spend our time and energy blaming other people for the problems we see around us.

You can't save a person who doesn't want to be saved. It was like Mr. Eddie always told the new gardeners: Everybody's got to kill their own snakes.

I've never been to Paris. I don't like to fly!

Putting words on paper regularly is part of the necessary discipline of writing. A journal is a great way to do that.

Vera Stark is a fabulous force of nature.