... everyone must play his role.

And I am interested in the fact that class is very much a factor in America, even though it's not supposed to be.

I don't want to say I hear voices; well, actually I do hear voices, but I don't think it's supernatural. I think it's just that when characters are given enough texture and backbone, then lo and behold, they stand on their own.

I didn't really choose to write; I more or less fell into it.

People always talked about a mother's uncanny ability to read her children, but that was nothing compared to how children could read their mothers.

You think we're a family,' Cody said, turning back. 'You think we're some jolly, situation-comedy family when we're in particles, torn apart, torn all over the place, and our mother was a witch.

...it's closeness that does you in. Never get too close to people, son.