Anyone who's really interested in anything spends time alone.

Perhaps this is how you know you're doing the thing you're intended to: No matter how slow or how slight your progress, you never feel that it's a waste of time.

Probably I, like a lot of people, became a writer in imitation of or in homage to the books I enjoyed. When you're so captivated by something, you think, could I do that? Hmm, let me try

We all make mistakes, don't we? But if you can't forgive yourself, you'll always be an exile in your own life.

People who think my books are autobiographical, which they're not, credit me with having a much better memory than I do. I do, however, have a powerful imagination

I don't really have special rituals, but I don't try to write fiction unless I have a minimum of a few hours. For me, it takes a while to settle into a mode where I'm truly concentrating

We have to make mistakes, its how we learn compassion for others

I always worried someone would notice me, and then when no one did, I felt lonely.

Obviously the bar is much higher now for a behavior to be scandalous. Social media has really changed the way people live. It's not a new impulse; it's just being enacted in a new way.

I don't think it's shameful to admit that some days your time can be better spent reading than writing.

I have this theory that the likeability question comes up so much more with female characters created by female authors than it does with male characters and male authors

Your purpose is the only thing you should make your obsession.

Remember, you see in any situation what you expect to see.

In movies, everyone is always surprised the door is unlocked.

On long haul flights I always drink loads and loads of water and eat light and healthy food.

Male-female conversation is cross-cultural communication

I said, we should allow no Syrian refugees into the country, not even women or children.

The conversations you are most resisting are the conversations you most need to be having.

Network heads don't seemed to be turned off by the men who get older.

In high school, I always dressed to impress the girls.