Well, I loved singing in the chorus, and there was some connection for me between gospel and choral music.

Songwriting is different from music, although I don't deny now that it would be nice to have a little more background in music theory.

Chelsea Morning is a great Joni Mitchell song and I guess I'm partial to her lyrics because they show me a slightly different perspective on life.

When you're on a merry-go-round, you miss a lot of the scenery.

Songs are life in 80 words or less.

Brooklyn is not the easiest place to grow up in, although I wouldn't change that experience for anything.

Love is still a simple act of faith, and a faithful heart is always worth the wait.

The music is key. It has the power to transport you. I go from being a slightly insecure, shy kind of a person offstage, to this super-confident, motivated, entity onstage.

Performing is the easiest part of what I do, and songwriting is the hardest.

Then come and as we lay, beside this sleepy glade, there I will sing to you my Longfellow serenade.

Drop your shrink and stop your drinkin', crunchy granola's neat.

Being comfortable with the lies can be catastrophic.

I could sooner reconcile all Europe than two women.

Twitter is the Devil's playground.

My books are more about people experimenting with different identities and social models in a short-term way before they can break through to something authentic.

It is so important as a caregiver not to become so enmeshed in the role that you lose yourself. It's neither good for you nor your loved one.

I know that look. What are you up to, Gwen?" "What makes you think I'm up to something?" The Valkyrie snorted. "You're breathing, aren't you?

Whether people identify as feminists or not, if they're doing work that furthers a feminist cause, I think that's wonderful, like if it works for me, right, it works for the movement.

You should laugh every moment you live, for you'll find it decidedly difficult afterwards.

Surely, that's what interns were invented for?

A guy I interviewed for Hard Times says, "What do I remember about the Great Depression? That I was hungry, that's all." Elemental things.