‎Because if I hadn't been so afraid of everyone else, I might have told Hannah that someone cared. And Hannah might still be alive.

The main thing I wanted to say, and thankfully it’s what most people say they get out of the book, is simply an acknowledgement that we do affect each other in ways we can’t predict.

No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.

You can hear rumors. But you can't know them.

You can't stop the future You can't rewind the past The only way to learn the secret ...is to press play.

I've always loved brainstorming with other writers, and I consider having my work critiqued a part of that brainstorming.

And at some point, the struggle becomes too much-too tiring-and you consider letting go. Allowing tragedy... or whatever... to happen.

You can't go back to how things were. How you thought they were. All you really have is...now.

Everything...affects everything

After all, how often do we get a second chance?

In the end....everything matters.

There are no shadows in darkness. Shadows are created by light, and only exist in the presence of light. Refusing to acknowledge our shadow leads us to deny the presence of light in us.

If we are to tempt fate, then let us not be cowards about it.

No pain is unbearable except that of regret.

A person's health isn't generally a reflection of genes, but how their environment is influencing them. Genes are the direct cause of less than 1pc of diseases: 99pc is how we respond to the world.

For someone who's had the level of success I've had, there's been very little critical review of my work, which is pretty fascinating.

One of the greatest evidences of God's love to those that love him is, to send them afflictions, with grace to bear them.

Nobody asks you to do this. The world out there is not panting after another novelist. We choose it

But at the age of 44, I sure hope to be a better businesswoman. I want to get the music straight to my fans.

Where does a black soul go to rest?

I like Beethoven, especially the poems.