“I think my knowledge of music theory is rooted in jazz theory, and a lot of the writers of standards Rodgers and Hart, and Gershwin.”

“I never stop myself from doing something because Im afraid of what people might think.”

“It's cool cause my sister is older than me and we went to the same high school, so by the time I got to high school, I got the lowdown on all the teachers and everything.”

“I went to Northwestern because I had gone to a really nontraditional high school. I was like, 'It'd be cool to have a traditional college experience.' Then I was like, 'Oh, but none of these people...”

“Growing up in Hollywood meant there were a lot of film stars' kids at my school - but no conspicuous wealth. It wasn't cool to show off that you had money.”

“I think there's a certain space people have decided I occupy - the funny-sidekick thing.”

“No black woman writer in this culture can write "too much". Indeed, no woman writer can write "too much"...No woman has ever written enough.”

“When you reduce a woman to writing, she makes you think of a thousand other women”

“I would venture to guess that Anon, who wrote so many poems without signing them, was often a woman.”

“There are no facts, only interpretations.”

“My story is of such marvel that if it were written with a needle on the corner of an eye, it would yet serve as a lesson to those who seek wisdom.”

“There are 1,198,500,000 people alive now in China. To get a feel for what that means, simply take yourself - in all your singularity, importance, complexity, and love - and multiply by 1,198,500,00...”

“Her chest began to quake softly. "Why?" "Why what, sweetheart?" I said gently. "Why do you want me?" I didn't even have to think. "Because anyone who's been through what you have and can still com...”

“If you run from me, I will chase you, and I'll find you....”

“Percy (to Annabeth): If I was going to pick one person in the world to reattach my head, I'd pick you.Silena: Awww . . . Percy, that is so sweet!Annabeth: Shut up, Silena.”