Christina Baker Kline

Most people are remarkably resilient. Even those who have been through war or great loss often find reservoirs of strength. But the legacy of trauma is a heavy burden to bear.

For years I'd understood that publishing in paperback was the kiss of death.

Words are both my vocation and my avocation - reading, writing, editing, teaching.

I wanted to be a teacher, but I was a lousy student, one of the slowest readers. It was a tremendous struggle. But I'm lucky I had some teachers who saw something in me.

There's never been anything I didn't love that I didn't connect with on a personal level because, to some degree, I projected upon it.

My style is Edie Sedgwick meets Grace Jones, or Audrey Hepburn meets Salt 'n' Pepa. Strong and feisty but still classic.