An artist represents an oppressed people and makes revolution irresistible.

The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible

Words are to be taken seriously. I try to take seriously acts of language. Words set things in motion. I've seen them doing it. Words set up atmospheres, electrical fields, charges.

(M)aybe we too busy being flowers or fairies or strawberries instead of something honest and worthy of respect . . . you know . . . like being people.

Revolution begins with the self, in the self.... We'd better take the time to fashion revolutionary selves, revolutionary lives, revolutionary relationships. Mouth don't win the war.

Writing is a legitimate way, an important way, to participate in the empowerment of the community that names me.

The only proper mask to wear in life is your own damn face.

TAKE HEART TO FLAT OUT DECIDE TO BE WELL AND STRIDE INTO THE FUTURE, SANE AND WHOLE

The job of the writer is to make revolution irresistible.

When you dream, you dialogue with aspects of yourself that normally are not with you in the daytime and you discover that you know a great deal more than you thought you did.

Write a lot and hit the streets. A writer who doesn't keep up with what's out there ain't gonna be out there.

Regarding war and peace—the seed of each is planted in the other.

She lacked the sheen of money, muscular good health, good skin, good clothes.

Dare to dream.Dare to reach beyond the stars.

Kissing just like she laughs: honest, heartfelt and heartful, she pulls me down as I lift her up, and the hum she gives when my tongue finds hers makes every one of my nerves fire.

I'm glad I was never an heiress.

Embrace your constraints.

We all die twice - once when we actually die and once when no one on earth recognizes our photograph.

I was never that interested in movies. I was interested in them as a thing, but I didn't want to make movies. I always wanted to draw and paint.

She read Dickens in the spirit in which she would have eloped with him.

I teach young people how the arts can be used to stand up against injustice.