But certainly in my grandmother's time - and when I was growing up, yeah, Demetrie's bathroom was on the side of the house, it was a separate door. Still, to this day, I've never been in that room.

I have never been more proud of the United States than I am this year. We have elected an African-American president. We have the stellar Michelle Obama setting the standard for American women. I simply cannot say it enough: look how far we've come.

I'm a Southerner - I never take satisfaction in touching a nerve. I guess if I'm forced to find a good side, I'm glad that people are talking about an issue that hasn't really been discussed all that much. I'm glad that people are talking about it from the black perspective and the white perspective.

The first book you write because of the way it makes you feel. The second one you can't help but wonder how it's going to make the reader feel.

My mother wanted me to be friends only with children she considered socially suitable.

I never felt poor. Our family euphemism was that we were broke, which I think psychologically gave you a different feeling. There were people far worse than we were.

Now I'm 30; I'm starting to think I'd love a family. I think it will happen one day.

I was brought up in an environment where my parents expressed their financial concerns in front of their children.