We are more and more into technology. Everything is texting, and everything is instant. Flowers are completely impractical as a method of communication when you could just send a text.

I was a screenwriting and studio art major in college, so even though I don't have any training as a floral designer, I have a very particular visual aesthetic.

I don't think there is anything magical about the language of flowers in real life or in my book.

At Camellia Network, we believe if we can create a way of identifying every young person aging out of foster care, defining what they need, and giving a community of supporters a simple and clear way to fulfill those needs, we can produce radically improved outcomes for youth.

My last book, 'The Language of Flowers,' I wrote completely on naptime, when my little kids were asleep.

First drafts are never any good - at least, mine aren't.

I was entirely natural and in many ways I have the same attitude now. I don't mourn the loss of my youth because I believe you should enjoy what you have while you have it.

Today's youth are told to get rich or die trying and they really shouldn't take that attitude forward with them.

The world's biggest power is the youth and beauty of a woman.

Youth is happy because it has the ability to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.

If in my youth I had realized that the sustaining splendour of beauty of with which I was in love would one day flood back into my heart, there to ignite a flame that would torture me without end, how gladly would I have put out the light in my eyes.

When I was young in the 1960s, all the world watched the youth. Everywhere was the sensation of wanting to break the chains but to do something beautiful. It is my privilege to have beauty always near me.