Wherever there's a prison, for the most part, especially where there's Black people, it's overcrowded. I don't know who really gets out.

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.

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

don't sabotage your own greatness by succumbing to failure!

Don't worry about how pretty (the story) sounds, how lilting it is, and the imagery, and the metaphor, all that. Most readers don't care. It's the people in your book that matter.

Back then I confused passions and orgasms with love. It look me years to realize the two weren't synonymous.

Writing is my shelter. I don't hide behind the words; I use them to dig inside my heart to find the truth.