Women's books are kind of discriminated against. If a man writes a book about his family stories, people think of it as literature. If it's a woman, she's 'spilling her guts,' and it's not art.

I have forgotten my rave reviews and memorized my vicious ones - like most writers.

All my forebears worked for a living. My grandfather painted portraits. My mother too. My aunt painted seascapes.

Many people today believe that cynicism requires courage. Actually, cynicism is the height of cowardice. It is innocence and open-heartednes s that requires the true courage -- however often we are hurt as a result of it.

I don't think that sex necessarily produces intimacy.

Fear is a sign-usually a sign that I'm doing something right.

Each artist or writer who works in Venice comes to believe that the city yields its most special secret to him or her alone.