One thing that was inspiring to me in my research about [Georgia] O'Keeffe was to learn that in addition to her success she had very hard times, and times when she was frustrated and uninspired.

I knew the basic outline of the novel [The Dissemblers] and would write whatever scene of the book I felt particularly excited about at the time.

I lived in New Mexico until I was seventeen, and honestly I've been homesick ever since I left.

I do think that it is one of the eternal questions about art, though - is all art intrinsically selfish?

Does art play a role in the greater good of society, or does it just promote the satisfaction of the artist? I go back and forth on that question.

The motivation to paint seems more pure, or at least more personal, when the artist is doing it for herself.

I've spent many a day worrying that I will never be able to write again!

I am a tragically bad artist.

I did take one drawing class in school, but for this book I spent a lot of time talking to painters and asking them silly questions.

I read letters and journal entries by [Georgia] O'Keeffe (which were infinitely more useful than any critical analysis of her work).

The book [The Dissemblers] officially came out two weeks after my thirtieth birthday...am I still young?

But I have my life, I’m living it. It’s twisted, exhausting, uncertain, and full of guilt, but nonetheless, there’s something there.

We juggle priceless eggs in variable gravity. I am afraid. I will taste fear until I die.

The fuel of ambition is not the problem

If you take part of the truth, and try to make that part of the truth, all of the truth, then that part of the truth becomes an untruth.

I think fear... tends to hold people back from really pursuing their dreams. Basically: LEAP! And the net will appear.

I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants.

Wasn’t it extraordinary to be in the world right now, wandering around in a wonderful adventure!

Paintings are not like the Internet. They're not like movies. They're not electronic-friendly. You have to go see them. You have to stand in front of them. That's the great thing about them.

The fact is that we do pay attention. I think that it's unfortunately the case, whether you're a man or woman and you're running for president you need to look as good as you can look.

From being a writer of plays, it was not that surprising that somebody thought of giving me a job as an actor. After I played one part, others came along.