Before you quit, you have to try

I read my own books sometimes to cheer me when it is hard to write, and then I remember that it was always difficult, and how nearly impossible it was sometimes.

The world was not wheeling anymore. It was just very clear and bright and inclined to blur at the edges.

If my Valentine you won't be, I'll hang myself on your Christmas tree.

Prose is architecture, not interior decoration, and the Baroque is over.

Everything about him was old except his eyes and they were the same color as the sea and were cheerful and undefeated.

I kissed her hard and held her tight and tried to open her lips; they were closed tight.