When you speak words that are relevant to people, they automatically shut up and you know you are in the presence of some very magical words. It's a gift when someone can listen and be quiet and not interrupt.

Even if you don't believe in God, you have to believe in love.

I am not in touch with other writers. I don't have very much contact with other writers. I don't get invited to these things or I don't go to them. I hate panels. I speak to librarians and to conferences of English teachers. That's what I do: teachers and librarians. And high school kids.

For me, a story's a story if people want to hear it; it's very much based on oral storytelling. And for me, a story is a story when people give me the privilege of listening when I'm speaking it out loud.

The beauty of literature is you allow readers to see things through other peoples eyes. All good books do this.

I was reading all these male writers who were doing wild and wonderful things. It gave me permission to experiment.

All of my works are performance pieces, as is true for many writers of color, writers who have indigenous roots - because our basis is spoken word.