One of the few things I know about writing is this: Spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book, or for another book, give it, give it all, give it now.

It is difficult to undo our own damage, and to recall to our presence that which we have asked to leave.

The world knew you before you knew the world.

I come down to the water to cool my eyes. But everywhere I look I see fire; that which isn't flint is tinder, and the whole world sparks and flames.

The way you live your days is the way you live your life.

The secret is not to write about what you love best, but about what you, alone, love at all.

I had hopes for my rough edges. I wanted to use them as a can opener, to cut myself a hole in the world's surface and exit through it.