Music is a big influence in my work and sometimes drives the energy of where I want to go.

I would have to say that I’m haunted. I’m haunted by everything that drives me. I want to do great work. I need to do great work. I won’t be satisfied unless I do great work.

No one touches me when I write my story, unless I hire you to or I allow you to.

The pen isn’t really the weapon - the work ethic is the weapon.

Work controls my life, writing controls my life, performing controls my life.

[My] hunger and thirst was, and still remains: How do I get people who hate poetry to love me?

[I've] learned how to pull the mic away and attack the poetry with my body.

In the body is tremendous strength, in the mind is brilliant potential, in the heart is extraordinary influence, and in the soul is remarkable power.

The most important part of life is in fact, the journey, and it's happening right now.

You lost your ability to choose the moment you started to use your eyes to see, and your heart to feel. Choice has become nothing but an illusion for you.

While natural disasters capture headlines and national attention short-term, the work of recovery and rebuilding is long-term.

The less I spent on myself and the more I gave to others, the fuller of happiness and blessing did my soul become.

Nobody can be set free from a problem until they're willing to admit they have one.

I had taught myself that a human being might as well look for diamond tiaras in the gutter as for rewards and punishments that were fair.

Here's what I have to say about being married: someday you will look at him, hating him with every fibre of your being, wishing that he would die the most violent death possible. It will pass.

Be frugal of your time. It is one of the best jewels we have.

Not taking criticism of your writing personally is an enormous step towards surviving the studio system.