Can't nothing make your life work if you ain't the architect.

I just believe that young people need to be able to learn how to write in their own voice. Just like a musician, you pride yourself on having your own distinct sound.

I don't trust white critics' judgment about most things that deal with black life, particularly when a black person is the creator.

Too many of us are hung up on what we don't have, can't have, or won't ever have. We spend too much energy being down, when we could use that same energy – if not less of it – doing, or at least trying to do, some of the things we really want to do.

Write from your heart, and God will take care of the rest.

I let my characters do the talking, simple as that.

life is like a jigsaw puzzle, you have to see the whole picture, then put it together piece by piece!