To write has to be related to a drive inside.

There are studies that have shown that we make decisions, ethical and otherwise, based on the way we imagine ourselves as characters in the stories of our lives. In other words, if we imagine ourselves brave or crazy or open, we're more likely to make decisions in a given situation based on how we imagine ourselves, whatever the facts may be.

I don't believe in inspiration. I write when I can't avoid writing anymore.

As long as there are living human beings, there will be language and stories.

I gradually became aware that my interiority was inseparable from my exteriority, that the geography of my city was the geography of my soul.

I've been a Nick Cave fan since the early '80s when he was part of The Birthday Party thing singing Australian self-destructive rock band and I've always followed his work and loved it.

Whatever solidarity I have established with other writers individually, it is usually organized around books. We connected as readers, as it were, not writers.