But persistent name calling? that prolongs hurt. It stretches out. Each nasty word stretches the rubber band further away until finally, one day, it snaps back at you with maximum impact

The easiest way for readers to connect with characters and feel sympathy is to make the character entertaining, sympathetic and likeable.

You should take notes whenever you hear interesting or original language.

With my human rights advocacy, that's always been through my writing. I've always tried to write articles and contribute to journals and a lot of online journals - about human rights, especially Palestinian human rights. I find the time to do things to do things I'm passionate about, because I find enjoyment in them. I just have to juggle.

Parents. Honestly. Sometimes they really do think the world revolves around them.

Sometimes it's easy to lose faith in people. And sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again.

One of the first serious attempts I made to write a novel was when I was in Grade 6 and I had read 'Matilda.' I wrote my own version and my teacher had it bound and permitted me to read it to the class - cementing my love of reading, writing and Roald Dahl!