I think if someone could demonstrate to me that fiction did no good, I would still do it, because I think it does good for me.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

A dove carries peace on its wings.

Trauma is a unique phenomenon all on its own, as if it is an entity in and of itself.

When one bears suffering faithfully, God is glorified and honored.

Our body is simply a vehicle for our soul. But if we want our soul to travel in style, we must take good care of our body.

In any case, a little danger is a small price to pay for ridding a place of tourists.

Writing is a mysterious process, and many ideas come from deep within the imagination, so it's very hard to say how characters come about. Mostly, they just happen.

Work hard. Do good. Be incredible!

Simplicity, suitability and proportion.

I keep my eyes wide open all the time.

I believe God will make a way.