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One of my stories was rejected by a journal as “theatrical and self-limiting.”

Dr. Seuss taught me something about the way words can be used.

It’s best for my heart to have hours and hours each day to write.

In real life, my favorite character, so to speak, is Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

A more typical writing day for me is being constantly interrupted.

Art doesn’t conform to a capitalist’s ratio of productivity to time.

What’s the most useful criticism you’ve received? “Keep writing.”

Every really good book on first reading is life changing.

I’ve read this novel at various stages of my life and I feel as if I know Isabel.

Henry Chinaski is just so deplorable and lovable; he makes me laugh.

Love is not something you wait for passively, but a practice.

I’m a big fan of then. A novel needs a lot of thens.

Love’s not all that fun, but it saves you. And you should be saved.

I once heard in a sermon, “Choose the important over the urgent.”

My grandmother read one of my early stories and warned—don’t force your muse.

Love is the difference between a full life and an empty one.

Love enlarges. What you put out into the world, you get back tenfold.

I love talking to girls. That’s why I’ve written so much about them.

The Great Gatsby had an awful, detrimental effect on me.

Favorite character? What a question. It’s like choosing a favorite child.

I like to think of love as something that one should keep feeding, like a fire.

I usually get my best writing done at night or at the close of day.

The story of racism does not simply happen to people of color.

Most days, at the pool, we are able to leave our troubles on land behind.

I wish I could tell her that we aren’t supposed to know why we’re here.

I’ve found that love has provided my life’s happiest moments.

“The Sentry” taught me that all true laughter has tears behind it.

Insomnia! There is a sickly romance to the affliction—initially.

For today, fuck it, it’s snowing, stay in. Eat your Wheaties dry.