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.

I don't let negative criticism, for the most part, bother me.

We get divorce, we get conned, someone we love dies, or we can't find anybody to love us or somebody breaks our heart and we realize this fairy tale ain't fair. So we suffer.

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

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

People always have something to say about what you do and how you do it.