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

I would like to think that as a result of not just my own experiences, but at least being empathetic and compassionate about other people's experiences and plights and tragedies, that I am affected by it and learn from it.

Look, as my mama always said, 'One monkey don't stop no show.

As far as young kids go, my primary interest is to get parents to read to their kids. That’s about the most you can do, I think.

You've been killing me inside and I don't want to die like this.

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.

Why is it that if you happen to be black and over six feet tall, everybody thinks you supposed to play basketball or football?