it doesn t matter if it takes a long time getting there; the point is to have a destination.

The first thing we see about a short story is its mystery. And in the best short stories, we return at the last to see mystery again

Human life is fiction's only theme.

To open up the new, to look back on the old may bring forth like discoveries in the practice of art.

The challenge to writers today, I think, is not to disown any part of our heritage. Whatever our theme in writing, it is old and tried. Whatever our place, it has been visited by the stranger, it will never be new again. It is only the vision that can be new; but that is enough.

I'm a great reader that never has time to read.

For the source of the short story is usually lyrical. And all writers speak from, and speak to, emotions eternally the same in all of us: love, pity, terror do not show favorites or leave any of us out.