I actually didn't grow up in a household that loved Chinese food particularly, and it's not really my go-to food or anything... We were more a pizza family, being from the Chicago area and all.

You write a book, and after 50 pages you think it's about one thing, and then you write another hundred and you realize it's about something else, and then by the time you're done, you can look back and say, 'Oh, this is what it's about.'

I don't know if I had ever found my place in the world until I fully committed to being a writer.

I don't think there's any topic a writer should feel afraid of tackling just because it has already been discussed. If you feel you have a fresh perspective and an understanding of a certain emotional truth, it's always worth writing.

Most of my writer friends are women, and they're all extremely talented, so of course I think the state of contemporary fiction for women is pretty great. Which is to say there is a ton of amazing work out there. These women are writing hard. There's much to be said. We're on it, chief.

I remember being banned from other houses as a younger child during the winter holiday season; I was the only one who didn't believe in Santa Claus, and I was ruining everyone's Christmas.

I did get in a few fights in school. Kids threw around anti-Semitic slurs, not knowing necessarily what they meant. It was probably just something they picked up somewhere, as kids do.

I have very distinct memories about growing up as part of what was then a very small Jewish community in Buffalo Grove, IL.

It's good to pass on stories.

I'm not really interested in writing or reading about people who are nice and easy. I like the problem children.

I think it's nearly impossible to write something fictional without having it be about yourself in some way or another.

People are branded as either 'fat' or 'skinny' from an early age. You sort of never shake it, even if you end up losing weight.

I always tell people this when they're looking for an agent - they should love your work. You are entitled to work with someone who believes in you. Why do business with someone who is ambivalent about you and your art?

In 1998, I started a blog, something I could control very easily and update at my own whim.

I didn't go to graduate school, where all the important writers seemed to be getting their start. I didn't pursue getting published in literary magazines. I didn't even send out countless pitch letters and manuscripts to agents.

I'm a really selfish person. But I would do anything for my friends.

The interesting thing about overeating or being obese is there's this physical manifestation of it.

I've always been an old soul.

I'm pretty pro-food.

No matter how many feminist tracts you read, you never forget what boys like.

We've all got flesh. I've just got a little more.

When I was growing up in Chicago, my family and I used to go to a local chain, Hackney's, for burgers and their French fried onion loaf. I probably haven't been to one in 25 years, and yet, I once saw Donald Trump from behind in an office building and the first thing that flashed in my mind was his hair looked like that onion loaf.

I make up stories about people who are either imaginary or some variation of myself.

My love can be easily bought with a steak from Peter Luger's.