I would never tell myself, you have to write 20 pages today or something. But I do try to show up. Read what I wrote, fix things.

You don't feel like smiling? Then what? Force yourself to smile. Act as if you were already happy, and that will tend to make you happy.

What made something precious? Losing it and finding it.

When you mention to people growing up in Cleveland they bring up the river catching on fire, or LeBron James leaving, they have these references, but no one imagines ending up there.

If you told people you were moving to Ohio, they wouldn't congratulate you. They'd say "OH WHY would you move there?" as if that was something that happened to you and you had to deal with.

They never discussed it, but both came to understand it as a promise: he would always make sure there was a place for her. She would always be able to say, Someone is coming. I am not alone.

I think this is something that is naturally built in in people, a need for attention and a need to be special and we are always trying to find a balance.

I am in a mixed race marriage myself, and I have a mixed race son....The racial perception interest is probably always going to be there to some extent.

After a while, the fear became a habit, too.

Being asked, "Where are you REALLY from?" It makes one feel OTHERED.

There is something about Midwest in general, that has kind of an underdog quality.

Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.

His voice caught. I choose you, Gretchen. Every time, I'll choose you.

Trying to be witty leads to lying, more or less.

Do you believe in apathy at first sight?

I just don't know how to write a love letter. What can you say to a girl that shows you really like her?" "How about, enclosed please find a cookie?

You cannot evoke great spirits and eat plums at the same time.

The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one.

Plunge Deep enough in order to see something that is hidden and glimmering.

Uncorseted, her friendly bust Gives promise of pneumatic bliss.

That's the thing with love: It's going to be wrong until it's right.