I know I always say my occupation is not dancing, but dancing is in my heart, dancing makes me feel good.

Dancing With The Stars' is a little family. The cast, we're all together - we're a really friendly competition.

Money talks. This is the thing, at the end of the day, I do what I have to do, and I'mma keep doing what I have to do.

I am definitely the queen. I definitely see myself as the queen.

I grew up in the D.C. suburbs, and what I like about that place is that there's not a strong regional affect in the cultural imagination like there is in Dallas or San Francisco or New York City. You have a little more freedom as a novelist this way. The suburbs become a generic idea, and the place doesn't intrude into the narrative.

Imagination creates reality.

For two days I had the company of a girl. She appeared next to me. It was no less of a miracle if it was my imagination which had summoned her up, because it happened at the very moment I had broken down and given up.

I think there are things in my story that have helped my creativity. Your father being killed, for instance, is one of the best things that could happen to a kid if he's going to write poetry or songs.