I think that when the world feels safe and secure, we probably feel more that way in our personal lives. What goes on in the world affects us, unequivocally.

I want to say that, in general, when it works, open adoption is great.

History releases me from my own experience and jogs my fictional imagination.

It would be a lie to say that people are coming to adoption with joy at all times. Hope, perhaps, but it would be disingenuous to say that every part coming to an adoption isn't seriously grieving.

I feel like if writers used writing as therapy we'd have a ton of happy writers.

The past always sort of haunts us and perhaps inspires us in some ways.

I'm a morning person: if I don't get up, put the coffee on and get to my desk by 8, the day has already lost a lot of its promise.

The birth mother is placing the baby out of love. I still believe that. Well, the ones weve dealt with who were actually pregnant, anyway.

As writers, we don't just need to write about poverty or war or the immigrant experience.

I feel sometimes like a book tour is a slow series of humiliations and that if you're strong you'll come out of it OK.

I find I have to touch what I am working on every day, or a deep-seated dread kicks in that is very hard to overcome.

However far I’ve come, it’s probably somewhere less than halfway of where I could be if I simply believed in myself.

It's not over till the fat lady eats!

I may be dying, but I am surrounded by loving, caring souls. How many people can say that?

Discipline is needed in our pursuit.

The press has always written that I am a recluse and a mysterious woman, but I am more down-to-earth than they think.

As a matter of fact, I am an uncle. I have nine nephews and nieces. I'm not sure if they think I'm all that quick with a quip. But I'm quick with a spank.

I'm lucky - I don't feel any pressure.

Tis human actions paint the chart of time.

You ain’t dead yet, so you ain’t done.

It is of no profit to have learned well, if you neglect to do well.