The stories are what no one wants to talk about. So you make up a story because no one is going to tell you the truth.

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

Writing poetry helps me to write my fiction; each thing helps the other.

[Dennis Mathis] was very sensitive about keeping the unique way that I spoke English - it had a lot of Mexicanisms or Mexican syntax. So you keep it in because it's adding something unique.

I can't do a linear novel. I'm just going to write what I need to write.

My feminism is humanism, with the weakest being those who I represent, and that includes many beings and life forms, including some men.

I realize that it's like spices in the kitchen. I need that turmeric. I'm sorry, but cinnamon isn't going to substitute . I feel that I can teach my listener about a new word they can use too. "Well, what words are part of my own community, even if I'm monolingual, that I'm not allowing myself to use in a public sphere?"