The genius of a folk melody or story is not the feeling that it's original but quite the opposite - the feeling that it has existed all along.

On the very same day that I ordered an iPad 2, I went shopping to buy myself a letter opener. I like to cover all my bases.

I had forgotten how thrilling a snow day is until my son started school, and as much as he loves it, he swoons at the idea of a free day arriving unexpectedly, laid out like a gift.

There's a marvelous sense of mastery that comes with writing a sentence that sounds exactly as you want it to.

I teach a non-fiction writing class at New York University, and one of my great pleasures is deciding on the syllabus.

I suppose I do have one embarrassing passion- I want to know what it feels like to care about something passionately.

The first thing I think about when I wake up most mornings is the fact that I’m tired.