I tossed off a mention of the pirates early on. And they became integral to the backstory. Sometimes now I imagine them in the woods. They scare me. All men. Dirty and wearing red.

All crises, once averted, become jokes.

At Ucross I learned that I am capable of focusing deeply for long periods of time. I love to write. I don't think I would have said that before this trip.

The issue is that my book, and so many others, are not available for pre-order from Amazon. I hadn't realized how much that mattered for new authors. And how much Amazon is hurting us.

I think that sharpens the intention of a scene and clarifies a story's arc. Of course, I don't seek the questions until after I've written a scene - or maybe after I've daydreamed it.

I suppose that it's my impulse to mine, as a writer, these scary parts of ourselves and the world.

I am glad it's [California novel] resonated with people because, for me, most apocalyptic novels aren't scary, because they feel so very far off.

Men were stupid to forget what good sleuths women could be.

I'm married. And pregnant.

I have a darker imagination than most people.

Affirm yourself every day (especially after every setback) because no one else will do it for you.

I've always been a student of this life, not a teacher. More of a sponge than a fountain.

Faith is, believing there is still a star out there to wish on, just for you, tucked away behind dark clouds.

In Bobby Ogle's version of heaven everyone would wind up in one place, criminals and Muslims included.

I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

I have lovely memories of Los Angeles in the 1930s. I came down to live with my mother's cousin and they invited me to come and go to junior college for a year.

I get a lot of inspiration from Japanese manga, especially shoujo which tends to have elaborate and fantastical adventure plots.

Breathing becomes really easy when you're laughing. It kick starts that feeling of joy.

Over time, the games we play can change how we think and what we're capable of. And it's easy to maximize the benefits so the changes are positive.

Mere animals couldn’t possibly manage to act like this. You need to be a human being to be really stupid.