My first published book, Story of a Girl, was the fourth book I wrote.

No one measures a life in weeks and days. You measure life in years and by the things that happen to you.

I grew up in San Francisco in the 1970s. We were part of a church that belonged to the California Jesus movement.

the past only had whatever power you gave it; life was what you made it and if you wanted something different from what you had, it was up to you to make it happen.

the mark we've left on each other is the color and shape of love. That's the unfinished business between us. because love, love is never finished.

I do have a little bit more confidence in - or at least familiarity with - my process. For example, when it feels like it's going badly or that I'm lost, I know I'll eventually find my way because I've been through it before. But writing itself is still hard.

We'd need a miracle," he says. "A real one. Do you think those happen anymore?