I guess in life I find people who, at first glance, appear to be very typical or average, whatever that means, and then turn out to have hidden qualities.

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

Sometimes a clearly defined error is the only way to discover the truth

She was trying to sound tough and impatient, but she knew that vulnerable desire to be wooed was still brimming in her tone.

When I only begin to read, I forget I'm on this world. It lifts me on wings with high thoughts.

Sometimes family members will ask to be kept out of certain things that I'm writing, and I try to respect that. I'd much rather have relatives than a book.

There was some sadness in how that could happen, falling out of love with something that had shaped you. Or even people who had.

Most of the Bond girls have been bimbos. I have never been a bimbo.

Can't believe the number of tracks I get sent every day now. Everyone is at it! There's no way you can keep up and I have two A&R guys!

We have less reason to be surprised or offended when we find others differ from us in opinion, because we very often differ from ourselves.

The less my hope, the hotter my love

Women accept their destiny more readily than men.