I work continuously within the shadow of failure. For every novel that makes it to my publisher's desk, there are at least five or six that died on the way. And even with the ones I do finish, I think of all the ways they might have been better.

If there is such a thing as sin in this world, I think it must be shutting oneself up against hope.

Hope does not necessarily have to take an object.

Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths pure theatre.

One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are.

I read constantly. If I don't have a good book, I'm beside myself.

There are two kinds of people. One kind, you can just tell by looking at them at what point they congealed into their final selves. It might be a very nice self, but you know you can expect no more surprises from it. Whereas, the other kind keep moving, changing... They are fluid. They keep moving forward and making new trysts with life, and the motion of it keeps them young. In my opinion, they are the only people who are still alive. You must be constantly on your guard against congealing.