Those of us who are writers and have to perform to communities that aren't used to coming to book events, I would recommend taking some theater.

Even though it's hard to believe, but people who know me really well know I'm shy. I have to go past that fear.

People know when you're speaking from el corazón. You have that pain. Take that pain and do something with it. That's very powerful.

I don't think I'll write a large novel again because it was like being in jail for me. Even though that's the funniest book I've ever written, it was the saddest period of my life.

I want to thank you, especially those people who are agnostic or atheist. I don't mean any offense by the things I said of the spirit world. Thank you for allowing me to speak about the spiritual, because I can't talk about my life or writing without mentioning that.

It's what's available to the poor communities. They do buy healthy stuff, you know, but the lettuce is usually iceberg lettuce and to get any taste, they have to use all that ranch dressing.

I just feel that the East and the West are two different worlds. I sometimes get saddened when I see that very few writers of color are published or reviewed in East Coast presses and magazines.