"books: Why does one begin to write? Because she feels misunderstood, I guess. Because it never comes out clearly enough when she tries to speak. Because she wants to rephrase the world, to take it in and give it back again differently, so that everything is used and nothing is lost. Because it's something to do to pass the time until she is old enough to experience the things she writes about."

"inspiration: Your life is a show and you're the star so don't let anyone walk on set and treat you like an extra."

"writing: Wit is the sudden marriage of ideas which before their union were not perceived to have any relation."

"humor: I saw him do a No More Potatoes Dance, after he saw me stuff the last of the mashed potatoes in my pocket."

"education: I read my eyes out and can't read half enough...the more one reads the more one sees we have to read."

"wisdom: Wise men profit more by fools than fools by wise men."

"inspiration: Never lose hope, and if you can, find the courage to love again."

"love: She held up her calloused, grimy fingers. Leo couldn't help thinking there was nothing hotter than a girl who didn't mind getting her hands dirty. But of course, that was just a general comment. Didn't apply to Calypso. Obviously."

"love: We got into an argument over the color of love. I said it was pink, and he said it was red. So you see, I had no other choice but to stab him."

"inspiration: Thus we never see the true state of our condition till it is illustrated to us by its contraries, nor know how to value what we enjoy, but by the want of it."

"love: Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul."

"faith: There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book or simply close it."