My primary lesson, however, was that I'm a solo writer, happiest when I'm making all the executive decisions. I've always been willing to rise or fall on my own merits.

If high heels were so wonderful, men would still be wearing them.

You kill people you hate or you kill in rage or you kill to get even, but you don't kill someone you're indifferent to.

There are days when none of us can bear it, but the good comes around again. Happiness is seasonal, like anything else. Wait it out. There are people who love you. People who can help.

There are laws for everything except the harm families do.

Perhaps when we're forced to forfeit what we own, we lose any sentimental associations. Perhaps pawning our valuables frees us in the same way a house fire destroys not only our worldly goods, but our attachment to what's gone.

A woman should never, never, never be financially dependent to anyone, especially a man, because the minute you were dependent, you could be abused.