If anything I try to write something that would be more difficult to film. I tend to see film as competition and would like instead to do what books do best.

Nothing shows you the straight line from here to death like a list.

A guy's calling to say he's failing algebra II. Just as a point of practice, I say, Kill yourself. A woman calls and says her kids won't behave. Without missing a beat, I tell her, Kill yourself. A man calls to say his car won't start. Kill yourself. A woman calls to ask what time the late movie starts. Kill yourself. She asks, "Isn't this 555-1327? Is this the Moorehouse CinePlex? I say, Kill yourself. Kill yourself. Kill yourself.

I wanted to destroy everything beautiful I'd never have.

Yeah. Well. Whatever. You can't teach God anything.

What I'm always trying to do with every book is to recreate the effect of the stories we heard as children in front of campfires and fireplaces - the ghost stories that engaged us.

I spent my life attacking everything because I was too afraid to risk creating anything.