The traveller must, of course, always be cautious of the overly broad generalisation. But I am an American, and a paucity of data does not stop me from making sweeping, vague, conceptual statements and, if necessary, following these statements up with troops.

I don't really write beautifully naturally, unlike some people.

I have a lot of theories about the beneficial effects of fiction, but I'm always trying to get away from them a little bit.

My heart goes out to him. Sort of. Because empathy depends on how you've spent your day.

I'm such a baby if I even get a flu.

While writing this book [Lincoln in the Bardo], [idea of inclusion] occurred to me, you either believe in the Constitution or you don't. If you do, it's intense in what it wants of us.

Every writer has to find the thing to keep her eye on about which she has strong opinions. That's of course deeply personal, but the nice thing is that it has to do with joy rather than fear. It has to do with you. If you're funny, your method will be to try to be funnier. Which again is empowering I think.