Good art is a form of prayer. It's a way to say what is not sayable.

When you are writing a character, what the character says is obviously crucial. But what the character doesn't say is absolutely as important as his words.

There is a lack of context in contemporary education. And contemporary consideration - because we live in those interiorities so much. Especially young kids who live by surfing the Web.

I read a lot of poetry. I read some history.

When I am writing a novel I try not to read great prose stylists into which I will fall.

If a writer is honest, if what is at stake for him can seem to matter to his readers, then his work may be read. But a writer will work anyway, as I do, and as I have, in part to explore this terra incognita, this dangerous ground I seem to need to risk.

I can't imagine having the courage to ask a publisher to do a whole book of my poems.