In all my stories and novels, no one ever escapes Louisiana. Maybe that is because my soul never left Louisiana, although my body did go to California.

I want you to show them the difference between what they think you are and what you can be.

I think I'm a very religious person. I think I believe in God as much as any man does. I don't only believe in God, I know there's God.

Nietzsche said without music, life would be a mistake. To me, without books, life would be a mistake.

You've got to bend with the wind or you're broken.

In all my stories and novels, no one ever escapes Louisiana. Maybe that is because my soul never left Louisiana, although my body did go to California.

"What for?" I said. "What for, Tante Lou? He treated me the same way he treated her. He wants me to feel guilty, just as he wants her to feel guilty. Well, I'm not feeling guilty, Tante Lou. I didn't put him there. I do everything I know how to do to keep people like him from going there. He's not going to make me feel guilty."