"As a writer and as a reader, I really believe in the power of narrative to allow us ways to experience life beyond our own, ways to reflect on things that have happened to us and a chance to engage with the world in ways that transcend time and gender and all sorts of things."

"I've always set my stories in places I know well. It frees me up to spend more imaginative time on the characters if I'm not worrying about the logistics."

"I find my husband's family history fascinating, as they can trace the family lineage back to ancestors who fought, and died, in the first battle of the Revolution, as well as to many other interesting people."

"I had a great life even before 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter' took off. I really enjoy teaching."

"America wants its respect."

"The hate directed against the colored people here in St. Louis has always given me a sad feeling... How can you expect the world to believe in you and respect your preaching of democracy when you yourself treat your colored brothers as you do?"

"The sole and basic source of our strength is the solidarity of workers, peasants and the intelligentsia, the solidarity of the nation, the solidarity of people who seek to live in dignity, truth, and in harmony with their conscience."

"When you get close to the raw materials and taste them at the moment they let go of the soil, you learn to respect them."