If you care about something enough, it’s going to make you cry. But you have to use it. Use your tears. Use your pain. Use your fear. Get mad. Arnold, get mad.

Don't live up to your stereotypes.

Only in rock music and the literary world you see so many ugly white guys with beautiful women. That says a lot about the women, their character. They're attracted to more than surface.

I thought I’d been condescended to as an Indian - that was nothing compared to the condescension for writing Y.A.

I suddenly understood that if every moment of a book should be taken seriously, then every moment of a life should be taken seriously as well.

I realized that I might be a lonely Indian boy, but I was not alone in the loneliness. There were millions of other Americans who had left their birthplaces in search of a dream. (217)

In the middle of a crazy and drunk life, you have to hang onto the good and sober moments tightly.