I never considered I might make a career out of writing as I was going to school, so when I did turn my attentions that way, I was very ill prepared, having only what I read as a guide, and no formal training whatsoever. I credit that very ignorance with a great deal of my success.

I was very introverted. You know, I had my close group of friends, but I really didn't care what the cool kids were doing.

Teens like a lot of the same things adults do: smart people doing amazing things against awful odds.

I love the power of the musician who composes and performs. I envy their ability to put a nugget of truth in three minutes of sweat and emotional outpouring, colored entirely from their thoughts.