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

The writer Denise Chávez comments on poor food and what you associate with luxury food items. In fact, she wrote a whole book called A Taco Testimony, and though the title sounds light, it's a heavy book. It's about being working class and what kind of food is available to you that's cheap.

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

I'm not afraid to say what I'm afraid of. Does that make me fearless?

I always tell people that I became a writer not because I went to school but because my mother took me to the library. I wanted to become a writer so I could see my name in the card catalog.

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.

Maybe all pain in the world requires poetry.