When a glass sits on a table here, people don't wonder if it's half filled or half empty. They just hope it's good beer.

I grew up in a storytelling culture, a tribal culture, but also in an American storytelling culture.

When you read a piece of writing that you admire, send a note of thanks to the author.

I learned how to stop crying. I learned how to hide inside of myself. I learned how to be somebody else. I learned how to be cold and numb.

Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community.

Imagination is the politics of dreams; imagination turns every word into a bottle rocket. . . . Imagine every day is Independence Day and save us from traveling the river changed; save us from hitchhiking the long road home. Imagine an escape. Imagine that your own shadow on the wall is a perfect door. Imagine a song stronger than penicillin. Imagine a spring with water that mends broken bones. Imagine a drum which wraps itself around your heart. Imagine a story that puts wood in the fireplace.

A lot of people have no idea that right now Y.A. (young adult). is the Garden of Eden of literature.