A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of understanding.

I've been in international competition, and now I know what the big boys can do. You don't go out and just run. There's an offense and a defense.

If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself. But if it's a slow pace, and I get beaten by a kicker who leaches off the front, then I'll always wonder, 'What if...?'

I know places you better speak low if you've been to college. Men will come across the room and cold-deck you if you hold your glass wrong.

I grew up loving music and being super involved in church choir and school musicals and such, but when I started writing is when I fell in love with the idea of doing it for the rest of my life.

It's not at all uncommon for a writer to get a ton of publicity for one book and then not get as much for the next one. I don't worry about that because I try to worry about the one single part of the job I can control: the writing of the book. If I do that well, I feel, good tidings generally will follow and readers will stick with me.

The lash may force men to physical labor, it cannot force them to spiritual creativity.

When I put something into motion, the creativity starts to make other people want to jump in, and then a lot of people get employed. I'm just like a shark, in that way. If I stop swimming, I'll die. But, it really is about that shared experience with people. I'm from theater, and that's really what theater feels like.