I smoke cigarettes when I write, which is disgusting, but it really helps me.

It's always surprised me that mainstream America had the good taste to like R.E.M. It doesn't have the digestible quality the general public tends to look for in its favorite musicians.

I've never even done a residency.

Talking to all those great writers and artists for the magazine was a form of graduate school for me.

Every time I try to write on vacation, I fail miserably.

I had lived in New York since 1996, sometimes in the worst neighborhoods, without even locking my door half the time.

I just think, as writers, especially with a book that takes years to write, you sort of wake up every morning hoping and praying that you can make it work for the day.