Haiti is unique - the first successful slave revolt in history, the first black republic etc., and then when you get into the culture, the voodoo, and that wonderful synchretization of Christian and African belief and symbology, it's like nothing the world has ever seen.

Americans are incredibly polite as long as they get what they want.

I'm ashamed and embarrassed to say that I've read very little of David Foster Wallace's work. It's a huge gap in my education, one of many.

From about the age of 15 or 16 I'd had the notion that I wanted to write fiction, and I'd done enough in college to satisfy myself that I had a knack for it - I wouldn't call it "talent" - though I wondered if I'd ever have the guts to actually commit to it.

I think if you spend much time dwelling on influence you can get self-conscious about every line you write. That's a great way to freeze up.

If you could figure out how to live with family then you'd gone a long way toward finding your peace.

The Kessler Theater is one such gem, an Art Deco beauty … for a slice of real life, there’s always the Kessler.