“If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”

“At the bottom of the hill they came out of the trees to a busy street and Antwan said, "We cross here." "Ain't no lights here," Antwan said. "Just look out for the ones trying to hit you. There's a...”

“My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.”

“I started out of course with Hemingway when I learned how to write. Until I realized Hemingway doesn't have a sense of humor. He never has anything funny in his stories.”

“It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing.”

“I'm very much aware in the writing of dialogue, or even in the narrative too, of a rhythm. There has to be a rhythm with it Interviewers have said, you like jazz, dont you? Because we can hear it ...”

“Im a dot in the grand scheme of things. I dont matter, not even to the other dots.”

“Music is a writer's heartbeat.”

“Gratitude is the gateway to a positive life.”

“Man is not, by nature, deserving of all that he wants. When we think that we are automatically entitled to something, that is when we start walking all over others to get it.”

“Never compete with someone who has nothing to lose.”

“I compete every moment, and my competition is only with myself.”

“If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your style.”

“I have eclectic taste, and I love vintage style mixed with glamour and old world charm.”

“Relationships are complicated no matter what style of parenting you choose.”