The first four months of writing the book, my mental image is scratching with my hands through granite. My other image is pushing a train up the mountain, and it's icy, and I'm in bare feet. Votes: 21
If you want to be happy for life, love what you do. Votes: 11
It's funny how, even long after you've accepted the grief of losing someone you love and truly have gotten on with your life, every once in a while something comes up that plays "gotcha," and for a moment or tow the car tissue seperates and the wound is raw again. Votes: 9
The truth is I hate cocktail parties when the only person I know is my supposed date, and he abandons me the minute we come in the door. Votes: 7
When a scientist's son or daughter becomes a scientist they'll say "Wonderful! Wonderful!" So, why, in the name of God, would a mother be jealous to see her daughter become a successful writer? Votes: 6
I am a natural optimist but there were times when (it seemed like) I was doing nothing but adding up on the back of envelope what I had to pay this month. Votes: 6
Even though it was six o'clock, there was no sense of approaching dawn. Votes: 3
The flame of inspiration needs to be encouraged. Put a glass around that small candle and protect it from discouragement or ridicule. Votes: 3
A library is a path to the future--find yours there. Votes: 3
Approach your lives as if they were novels, with their own heroes, villains, red herrings, and triumphs Votes: 3
live your life as if you may lose everything. Votes: 3
A common question asked of writers is "When did you decide to become a writer?" The answer, of course, is that we didn't decide anything. It was decided for us. I firmly believe that mythical godmothers make appearances at our cradles, and bestow their gifts. The godmother who might have blessed me with a singing voice did not show up; the goddess of dance was nowhere in sight; the chef-to-the-angels was otherwise engaged. Only one made the journey to my cradle, and she whispered, "You will be a storyteller." Votes: 0
As a writer, you paint strokes and leave suggestions so readers can create their own pictures. That allows you to know someone by a small action and it saves countless pages of explanation. Votes: 0
Funny, when you finally faced reality, it was amazing how clearly you could see things. Votes: 0
Happines is like mercury. Hard to hold, and when we drop it, it shatters into a million pieces. Maybe the bravest of all are those who have the courage to reach for it again. Votes: 0
I certainly understand very much what it's (like when) an expense comes up and you're trying to figure out how to pay for it. Votes: 0
When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book. Votes: 0
Writing is storytelling. No matter how you slice it, you're saying, 'Once upon a time.' That's what writing is all about. Votes: 0