I went to sexaholics anonymous for six months. For research. I wanted to see the structure of the groups, how they were conducted, and what the atmosphere was like, and also to be able to describe the people as human beings, rather than as the dirty jokes that they are in our culture.

Rant would tell people: 'You're a different human being to everybody you meet.

Nobody's told me anything to date that I've been completely reviled by.

you're a product just as much. a product of a product. the people who design cars, they're products, your teachers, products. the minister in your church, another product.

My books are more about people experimenting with different identities and social models in a short-term way before they can break through to something authentic.

How I feel is cheap and used, dirty and humiliated. Dirty and tricked and thrown away.

Books can create a depth of story, a background of information and ideas, that televison and movies can't. Sure, the television shows may shock, but only on a superficial level. They'd never risk market share to really explore the issues. They report, but don't analyze or suggest any new ways for living our lives.