I have only one bit of advice to beginning writers: be sure your novel is read by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.

Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow.

The really great writers are people like Emily Brontë who sit in a room and write out of their limited experience and unlimited imagination.

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.

I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.

If your book doesn't keep you up nights when you are writing it, it won't keep anyone up nights reading it.

An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.

Life is about enjoying yourself and having a good time.

Thus, the standard library will serve as both a tool and as a teacher.

I try not to worry about things I can't do anything about.

Was there ever such thing as great Shakespeare? Only one must not say so! But what think you — what — was there not sad stuff?

Nobody is as smart as everybody.

The ring always believes that the finger lives for it.

Your personality is what makes you sexy.

I write 2,000 words a day when I write. It sometimes takes three hours, it sometimes takes five hours.

I was never much of a reader. I'm a slow reader, which is unusual, because I'm so into language and I love words so much. But it's hard for me to read.

My perspective comes in part from being a New York black lady, in part from being an engineer. I know I'm smart and have opinions worth being heard.