But romantic vision can also lead one away from certain very hard, ugly truths about life that are important to know.

I think innocence is something that adults project upon children that's not really there.

Always remember, the person we’re really working for is the person who’s restoring the piece a hundred years from now. He’s the one we want to impress.

The trouble is when people read about authors, they don't feel compelled to read the authors' work.

All those layers of silence upon silence.

Death is the mother of beauty,” said Henry. “And what is beauty?” “Terror.

Actually, I enjoy the process of writing a big long novel.