You hear the best stories from ordinary people. That sense of immediacy is more real to me than a lot of writerly, literary-type crafted stories. I want that immediacy when I read a novel.

Anything pretty,' Claire will tell you, 'it's only for sale because no one wants it.

You can tell a more over-the-top incredible story if you use a nonfiction form.

You tell yourself that noise is what defines silence. Without noise, silence would not be golden. Noise is the exception. Think of deep outer space, the incredible cold and quiet where your wife and kid wait. Silence, not heaven, would be reward enough.

Everyone thinks their whole life should be at least as much fun as masturbation.

So here I am. This is as good as it gets. Take it or leave it.

What do you do when your entire identity is destroyed in an instant? How do you cope when your whole life story turns out to bw wrong?