Writing a book set in New Mexico was partially a way to express my own love for the state, and partially a way to prudently follow the advice to write what you know.

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?

A thousand half-loves must be forsaken to take one whole heart home.

You move forward because you have to. Life doesn't stand still. It makes you move on until you want to move on, you know? It'll run you over if you don't move.

Math is my Passion. Engineering is my Profession.

I am trapped in glass and I want to break out and breath deep but I´m too afraid that it will hurt.

I've got to put forward a very strong conservative voice, advocate for conservative values and advocate for principle in politics to restore faith in politics.

At 9 years old I weighed about 10 lbs. less than what my weight is at 32. I needed to get help.

There's no reason that just because you're a celebrity you can't write.

An Oscar is a total honor. It's thrilling, and on the one hand, it means a lot of things, and on the other hand, it doesn't really mean anything. It's a moment in time.

What, did you not know, then, that to-day Lucullus dines with Lucullus?

Actually, after while, finding the ideas is the easy part. Sorting them through and turning them into stories, now, that's the hard work.