I understand what something short should be like. I understand beauty in that form. If I start extending, somehow I kind of lose my bearings.

In my case, when I am trying to be "kind" I often default in a sort of toothless loving-all stance that is, actually, not kind, because it is not truthful.

I'm turning 58, and you get that kind of weird, old-guy feeling of you don't have an infinite number of years left and if there's anything you want to say or represent, it's time to try it.

I try to keep my artistic opinions not so much "to myself" but "on myself."

I don't know about transformation. But scientifically you can say: Well, it doesn't seem to hurt anybody. Personally I've been cheered by books at really critical moments. That much I believe.

My heartfelt wish for you: as you get older, your self will diminish and you will grow in love.

I think each writer has to seek her most energetic prose style. She has to find a way to write so that nobody can deny it.