That's why it's important to be multilingual, because it teaches you so much about your own language.

Everything that is most mine belongs to everyone now.

I feel the fear touches on something deeper. A sense perhaps of, "My life is speeding past me and I can't get a handle on it."

[Thich Nhat Hanh] the one that revolutionized Buddhism. Instead of being monks just engaged in meditation, it was active Buddhism. You went out and felt the ills of the community around you. Instead of retreating to a monastery, you were out in the streets working. And he's been a great help to me, just reading his book, so I don't feel helpless about what I can do about all the violence around me.

Packing is important because a lot of times I have to go places where I have to be in four different climates in three weeks. For example, Bosnia, Ireland, Rome. Different parts of Italy. You have to pack and get it down to a science.

I am a woman, and I am a Latina. Those are the things that make my writing distinctive. Those are the things that give my writing power.

One press account said I was an overnight success. I thought that was the longest night I've ever spent.