When I get about five readers I can rub together in one genre, I leave that genre and go somewhere else. And this is due to a vow that I made myself when I started writing - that if I had any success at all, I would not be bound to one form of writing. That I would write what moves me. The only way I can see me surviving and doing more than one book is to present the readers with a Dan Simmons novel, with whatever tropes and protocols from whatever genre I want to borrow them. If that builds a Dan Simmons readership, well then, okay. Otherwise, forget about it. I'd rather drive a truck.

Life doesn't retreat.

Losing our ignorance can be dangerous because our ignorance is a shield.

Context is to data what water is to a dolphin

Its hard to die. Harder to live

The past is dead and buried. But I know now that buried things have a way of rising to the surface when one least expects them to.

There is a fullness and calmness there which can come only from knowing pain.