I have found myself writing poetry shortly after I retired. Which I hadn't done in forty years.

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.

My heroes are people like Philip Levine, who is simply like a god to me, as a writer. And he is a very good man, too.

I enjoy going to campuses and reading and doing a class or teaching and then running away and not having to grade papers.

I have a wonderful editor who believes in fiction and poetry. She herself is a novelist and poet.

Never use 'submit' as a verb for sending work to magazine or book publishers; say 'offer,' and never, ever submit. Keep your knees unbent. Be brave.

The best defense is a good story.