I suppose half of writing is overcoming the revulsion you feel when you sit down to it.

I have what passes for an education in this day and time, but I am not deceived by it.

Does one's integrity ever lie in what he is not able to do? I think that usually it does, for free will does not mean one will, but many wills conflicting in one man. Freedom cannot be conceived simply. It is a mystery and one which a novel, even a comic novel, can only be asked to deepen.

I spend three hours a day writing and the rest of my day getting over it.

I am not afraid that the book will be controversial, I'm afraid it will not be controversial.

I have found, in short, from reading my own writing, that my subject in fiction is the action of grace in territory largely held by the devil.

Policy and politics generally go contrary to principle.