The atheism and nihilism of my earlier years now seems shallow, and even a bit cocky.

I'm Gentleman Death in silk and lace, come to put out the candles. The canker in the heart of the rose.

I know nothing of God or the Devil. I have never seen a vision nor learned a secret that would damn or save my soul.

I'm always looking, and I'm always asking questions.

That process by which you become a writer is a pretty lonely one. We don't have a group apprenticeship like a violinist might training for an orchestra.

Handsome enough' is this Grim Reaper, Who can snuff all these 'brief candles,' every fluttering soul sucking the air, from this hall" -The Vampire Lestat

I'm speaking of the character of human beings, not what they believe in. I'm speaking of those who won't accept a useless life just because they were born to it. I mean those who would be something better. They work, they sacrifice, they do things..." He was moved by this, and I was a little surprised that I'd said it. Yet I felt I'd had hurt him somehow. "There is blessedness in that." I said. "There's sanctity. And God or no God, there is goodness in it. I know this the way I know the mountains are out there, that the stars shine.