That's how it is with books, isn't it: They're not in a hurry. They'll wait for you till you're ready. People empty me. I have to go away to refill.

I didn't like parties.I didn't know how to dance and people frightened me, especially people at parties. They attempted to be sexy and gay and witty and although they hoped they were good at it, they weren 't. They were bad at it. Their trying so hard only made it worse.

Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?

I can almost understand why people leap from bridges.

there is a loneliness in this world so great that you can see it in the slow movement of the hands of a clock

Most people are much better at saying things in letters than in conversation, and some people can write artistic, inventive letters, but when they try a poem or story or novel they become pretentious.

not writing is not good but trying to write when you can't is worse.