But those with an evil heart seem to have a talent for destroying anything beautiful which is about to bloom.

It is when we are most lost that we sometimes find our truest friends.

I learned to write from authors. I didn't know any, but I read their books.

Every person is able to add beauty, whether by growing flowers, or singing, or cooking luscious meals, or raising sweet pets. Every part of life can be art.

I want to do something important in my life, and I think that adding beauty to the world with books... really is important.

It is odd how we sometimes deny ourselves the very pleasure we have longed for and which is finally within our reach.

I love being a writer because I want to leave something here on earth to make it better, prettier, stronger.

In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still.

When the wicked want to bring down the innocent, they aim for a loving heart.

I am so grateful to be a writer. I hope every child grows up and finds something to do that will seem important and that will seem precious. Happy living and, especially, happy playing.

Writing stories has given me the power to change things I could not change as a child. I can make boys into doctors. I can make fathers stop drinking. I can make mothers stay.

Every word is a prejudice.

You never know who anybody is. Even the people closest to you.

Tell me the story about how the sun loved the moon so much that he died every night to let her breathe.

What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.

I have a hard time repeating myself.

I had concussions as a kid playing football and basketball, and know what it feels like and to have someone say 'Just rub some dirt on it, and get back in there.'

We can't save the past or solve the riddle of love. But to me, it's worth trying.

The goal in life is not to attain some imaginary ideal; it is to find and fully use our own gifts.

You can't create a political movement out of pabulum.

And that was what I was asking to happen and I was told that the indictment would be signed, but I was coming to the end of my one-year contract, I had to return to New Zealand for personal reasons.