I think in order to write really well and convincingly, one must be somewhat poisoned by emotion, dislike, displeasure, resentment, fault-finding, imagination, passionate remonstrance, a sense of injustice-they all make fine fuel.

The astronomers tell us that other planets are gifted with two - four - even nine lavish moons. Imagine the romantic possibilities of nine moons.

Living the past is a dull and lonely business; looking back strains the neck muscles, causing you to bump into people not going your way.

writers of novels are so busy being solitary that they haven't time to meet one another. But then, a writer learns nothing from a writer, conversationally. If a writer has anything witty, profound or quotable to say he doesn't say it. He's no fool. He writes it.

don't you hate people who say they're not complaining and then complain?

Nicknames are fond names. We do not give them to people we dislike.

Anything can have happened in Oklahoma. Practically everything has.