People who think my books are autobiographical, which they're not, credit me with having a much better memory than I do. I do, however, have a powerful imagination

Perhaps this is how you know you're doing the thing you're intended to: No matter how slow or how slight your progress, you never feel that it's a waste of time.

Probably I, like a lot of people, became a writer in imitation of or in homage to the books I enjoyed. When you're so captivated by something, you think, could I do that? Hmm, let me try

We all make mistakes, don't we? But if you can't forgive yourself, you'll always be an exile in your own life.

I don't really have special rituals, but I don't try to write fiction unless I have a minimum of a few hours. For me, it takes a while to settle into a mode where I'm truly concentrating

We have to make mistakes, its how we learn compassion for others

I always worried someone would notice me, and then when no one did, I felt lonely.

Obviously the bar is much higher now for a behavior to be scandalous. Social media has really changed the way people live. It's not a new impulse; it's just being enacted in a new way.

I don't think it's shameful to admit that some days your time can be better spent reading than writing.

I have this theory that the likeability question comes up so much more with female characters created by female authors than it does with male characters and male authors

I just think that people are complicated, both men and women. It happens that I write more about women.

Repetition opens doors, you know?

You don't have to be a professional to express an experienced opinion. Often times, the professionals are silent...or biased...

Regard everything as an experiment.

The principles governing the behavior of systems are not widely understood.

It is better to be nothing than a follower of other painters. The wise man has said when one follows another one is always behind.

What manly eloquence could produce such an effect as woman's silence?

Sometimes the Lord gives us a free sample of religious experience, but for more, we must pay a price with the currency of sincere dedication to the process of cleansing.

If you don't have confidence in the diagnosis, you won't have confidence in the prescription.

But it's possible to love more than one person at a time, Bella. I've seen it in action.