Sometimes I prayed for Baby Jesus to make me good, but Baby Jesus didn't.

Recall that whatever lofty things you might accomplish today, you will do them only because you first ate something that grew out of the dirt.

I didn't study writing in school, I studied biology as an undergraduate and graduate student. So I think that I write fiction in the scientific way. I love invention, obviously; I love creation of character. But I do feel very rooted in the real world, even in the way that I create characters.

If you never stepped on anybody's toes, you never been for a walk.

All of the promises of politicians, generals, madmen, and crusaders that war can create peace have yet to be borne out.

We're surrounded by mandates, and I believe that literature should be mandate-free. I feel very strongly about that.

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.