Friends love misery... our misery is what endears us to our friends.

I have not ceased being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me.

[Henry Miller] was such a scribomaniac that even when he lived in the same house as Lawrence Durrell they often exchanged letters. For most of his life, Henry wrote literally dozens of letters a day to people he could have easily engaged in conversation - and did. The writing process, in short, was essential. As it is to all real writers, writing was life and breath to him. He put out words as a tree puts out leaves.

It's horrible getting older. I mean, it's wonderful because you see the circles of life get completed. But it's horrible losing your looks.

I started with poetry because it was direct, immediate, and short. It was the ecstasy of striking matches in the dark.

Men have always detested women's gossip because they suspect the truth: their measurements are being taken and compared.

I thought to spend my declining years writing poetry and teaching - but that won't pay the Bergdorf's bill. I think I'll move to somewhere life is cheaper.