I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catch... - Maya Angelou

"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."

"I'm happy to be a writer - of prose, poetry, every kind of writing. Every person in the world who isn't a recluse, hermit or mute uses words. I know of no other art form that we always use."

"Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it."

"Poetry puts starch in your backbone so you can stand, so you can compose your life."

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style"