I guess when you write a personal story, people feel compelled to share their own stories.

A subplot is a distinguishing characteristic of the novel; the short story, for example, does not need subplots.

The main thing is to think strategically about what will engage your readers. Trust me when I tell you that few people are eager to read a story whose opening lines sound like a dissertation on giant bugs.

What's Denver's feel? I know there're mountains, and people in western hats, but I never got a good sense of the city.

[Adams knows her fans like to get intimate with her. Like to share their personal stories because they feel her singing about their lives.] I represent community because of the music I sing, ... It's not like on the one side is the artist and on the other side is the fans, because we're all connected through one thing, and that's Jesus Christ.

In the worst memoirs, you can feel the author justifying himself - forgiving himself - in every paragraph. In the best memoirs, the author is tougher on him- or herself than his or her readers will ever be.