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My writing comes not from the happy moments, but from struggle and grief.

In my last year at Hallmark, we finally began putting verses on computer. It had been all in filing cabinets on index cards. They had to assign a 4 digit serial number to each sentiment, for each area of feeling.

I squirrel away sealed greeting cards that people give me so I can open them later when I'm having a bad day.

I know some people might think it odd - unworthy even - for me to have written a cookbook, but I make no apologies. The U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins thought I had demeaned myself by writing poetry for Hallmark Cards, but I am the people's poet so I write for the people.

There's a happiness that comes from writing that I won't live without.

I think one of my better gifts as a writer is empathy.

One day, I was at my grandmother's house, and I found diaries that she kept as a young girl. I opened one to a page that had flowers glued inside. In her childish handwriting, my grandmother wrote, 'Pap died today. I am very sad.' The fact that this was true and that I could see the withered flowers made a huge impression on me.

I ignore Hallmark Holidays. And this comes from a guy who has sold a million Opus greeting cards.