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

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

Many times, what people call 'writer's block' is the confusion that happens when a writer has a great idea, but their writing skill is not up to the task of putting that idea down on paper. I think that learning the craft of writing is critical.

But it is the fear, not the writing that defeats me. Everything is not a masterpiece.

Loneliness is random; solitude is ritual.

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.

Feminism is to sexism what black nationalism is to racism; the most rational response to the problem.