That seems to be the definition of 'novel' for me: a story that hasn't yet discovered a way to be brief.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

Men had no purpose on earth whereas women were gods walking unrecognized among them.

It is better to win by the power of love than by the power of might.

In rejecting secrecy I had also rejected the road to cynicism.

If I do an interview, then I take full responsibility. I figure I'm not going to talk to anyone that I think is unethical anyway.

I make a bad mom, but I can pull off a crazy aunt.

I look down the farthest side of the mountain, fulfilled and understanding all, and truly content that I lived a full life and one that was my own choice

And out of good still to find means of evil.

People buy things in isolation and don't think of how they work together.

I so admire great writing done quickly, with great detail.

I am always trying to find fabrics that are more friendly to the environment - working with Virgin Atlantic, they managed to research into this and find more eco fabrics.