I know that one of the great arts that the writer develops is the art of saying, 'No. No, I'm finished. Bye.' And leaving it alone. I will not write it into the ground. I will not write the life out of it. I won't do that.

I'm not going anywhere. I came here to say something, and I'm not leaving until I'm finished.

Politicians must set their aims for the high ground and according to our various leanings, Democratic, Republican, Independent, we will follow. Politicians must be told if they continue to sink into the mud of obscenity, they will proceed alone.

Some critics will write 'Maya Angelou is a natural writer' - which is right after being a natural heart surgeon.

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.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.