Without the hard we stay too soft, and heaven is reduced to myths like life. Theology aside, it’s plain to see that God forbids we get too comfortable.

I’ve had a fountain pen surgically implanted in my left index finger to save trouble. My body is tattooed with line upon line of truth, fiction, and a not-always-pleasing mix of the two.

When I pour a bowl of Uncle Sam’s cereal, I never know if I should stand when I eat, salute it first, or simply hum the Star Spangled Banner between mouthfuls.

I speak, I speak, and truth at that. Writers are a curious breed: brooding, fickle, alternately loving and hating their work—and each other. You’re my friend? Don’t pick up that pen!

Today I fed him right off the bat, and only checked Facebook twice.

If a book can save—redeem us from the mediocrity of the mundane—surely, there must be a God.

Nonfiction. I didn’t choose it as much as it chose me. It squatted and birthed me one raw winter day then jerked me up and set me to scribing.

I think that’s why I write—the not knowing and the blasted good feeling I get out of it all.

Writing makes me hard, like a fisherman, and brown from the heat. Tossing out and reeling in is a job for visionaries and those with calloused hands.

In this book, much is metaphorical, not as it seems. It’s written for writing’s sake, as if I were to say, “Let me tell you I’m dying.” Well of course I am. So are you.

This world rubs me raw, scours me smooth like an SOS pad put to a grease-caked skillet. And pain: it stabs and scrapes and pulls me back to earth, my final B&B, that worm-spun cot of cool black sod.

Strength is not just in muscle and bone, " Rovender said"That is right, " Soth added. "Emotional strength is more powerful.

The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.

If we lose the forests, we lose our only teachers.

Our bodies like rhythm and our brains like melody and harmony.

I actually prefer the silent black and white version of the Wizard Of Oz from the 20's.

Life, nature and God always answer, 'Yes,' to you. What are you asking for?

The rock sitting on the shelf has potential because it can fall - it's the same way with the Internet. It has this potential. It's not really doing it yet, but it's about to.

I know I look super young. I was flying back home into LAX the other day and the security guard at the airport stopped me and said, ‘Honey, where’s your family?’ And I’m like, I’m 31!

Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.

Dear God, I understand that if I fail to believe in you, I'll burn in hell for eternity. Thanks for being such a good sport about it.