The real art is not to come up with extraordinary clever words but to make ordinary simple words do extraordinary things. To use the language that we all use and to make amazing things occur.

What we wish upon the future is very often the image of some lost, imagined past.

Happiness quells thought. And work quells thought.

How quick and rushing life can sometimes seem, when at the same time it's so slow and sweet and everlasting.

Part of the very impulse of writing for me is actually wanting to get away from myself.

I don't reread my books.

My mother was a great bringer-up of children. My memories are of a sense of security and comfort.