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

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 just think that people are complicated, both men and women. It happens that I write more about women.

Sometimes limbs must be re-broken to set properly, her heart too needed to shatter anew before it could truly heal.

Young men are sadly degenerate nowadays.

Over and over. They be making me remember everythings. Me old songs, they just be natural. But now they be stuffing new things into me and this poor head hurts horrid.

Jesus makes the bitterest mouthful taste sweet.

Death is the opening-and the closing-of a Door.

When you educate a woman, you create a nation.

You can find good reasons to scuttle your equities in every morning paper and on every broadcast of the nightly news.

Every true, eternal problem is an equally true, eternal fault; every answer an atonement, every realisation an improvement.

Harlem is a stage. It's like its own planet, from the way we dress to the swag in the way we walk and talk.

Motivation gets you going and habit gets you there. Make motivation a habit and you will get there more quickly and have more fun on the trip.