I knew that he was as reliable as a mathematical formula.

I missed him so much that I had physical sensations of loss, all over my body. Like one minute I was missing an arm, the next my spleen. It was making me feel sick, like throwing up.

but I am not here ironically; I am here sincerely.

When I first thought of being a writer I had visions of stacks of books in stores with my name on them, that sort of thing. But I never imagined this would be the reaction.

Miracles do happen. You must believe this. No matter what else you believe about life, you must believe in miracles.

But I can also write in crappy motel rooms, while standing in line, or sitting in the dentist's chair.

I really look at my childhood as being one giant rusty tuna can that I continue to recycle in many different shapes.