Most writers are middle-class and are the children of doctors or lawyers.

I have no social position and I stay away from what is known as society as much as possible.

Each writer is born with a repertory company in his head. Shakespeare has perhaps 20 players. ... I have 10 or so, and thats a lot. As you get older, you become more skillful at casting them.

Television is now so desperately hungry for material that they're scraping the top of the barrel.

I don't think contemporary writers spend a lot of time reading each other. Particularly writers of the same nationality.

Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little.

Do nothing that is not natural - and ritual is natural - and all will be for the best.