Writing, at its best and truest, can offer solace and salvation for both readers and writers.

We need to stop playing Privilege or Oppression Olympics because we'll never get anywhere until we find more effective ways of talking through difference. We should be able to say, “This is my truth,” and have that truth stand without a hundred clamoring voices shouting, giving the impression that multiple truths cannot coexist.

Intellectually, I know I am worthy, however arbitrary a thing worthiness is, and have always been worthy.

I thought a lot about how so many memoirs about fatness focus on weight loss; they don't focus on living with weight in a world that is rather inhospitable to it. So I knew that was the idea that was going to be most interesting and most challenging, and I like to be challenged as a writer.

Some women being empowered does not prove the patriarchy is dead. It proves that some of us are lucky.

I write toward both idealism and reality - how things are and how I wish they could be.

I am mortified by my music choices.