I'm a big people pleaser; I had a very awkward adolescence. Part of me is still that person who wants everyone to like me.

I think humor is like a shield that lets you get as close to the sad sad flame as possible - far closer, oftentimes, than drama.

exercise will never be my lover. Or even my friend. For me, a workout is more like an annoying coworker I have to see a few times a week.

During my MFA, I was lucky to be surrounded by a really supportive group of peers. And now I get feedback pretty exclusively from freaks only.

Las Vegas is incredible. Either you love it or you're a classy person with morals. I fall into the former category. It's definitely bled into my writing.

If you're a beautiful Caucasian woman, and you commit a heinous crime, it's like people don't want to acknowledge the reality of your actions.

I've seen men in $5,000 suits urinate in public fountains here. Las Vegas is the best place on earth.

I really want readers to put themselves into the shoes of each character. So the opening lines are an orienting technique: this is where you are, this is who you are. Go.

My writing circle isn't too full of people who fall into the "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought Tuesdays With Morrie" category.

Luckily I'm on prescription drugs that prevent me from worrying about anything too much.

I don't consider myself attractive. I'm an academic, and in academia, people will write you off if you look younger.

The two families really don't like each other, except for all us younger cousins because we don't know any better.

Goths do not hate the world. They just learned to accept the world that refuses to understand them.

…her mom's faith wasn't just about God healing her, it was about God's sovereignty in her life. She had faith that God is, and will always be, who He says He is in His Word.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

For interests that are vital to the U.S. - that is, essential for our survival and wellbeing - the U.S. should be prepared to use military force - including unilaterally, if necessary.

Baptism separates the tire kickers from the car buyers.

Either consciously or unconsciously we are searching for the highest Self, which is at once eternal and infinite.

Principles don't die. They aren't here one day and gone the next. They can't be destroyed by fire, earthquake or theft. Principles are deep, fundamental truths, classic truths.

When you forgive, that means you absorb the loss and the debt. You bear it yourself. All forgiveness, then, is costly.