So I do not consider myself a chronicler of my fatherland or even a chronicler of Havana

Many of my books have begun with the title, because naming a work already in progress makes no sense to me.

Watching a movie from beginning to end is like reading, because even though what you see are images, they are telling you a story

Titles are not only important, they are essential for me. I cannot write without a title

I am against the notion of style in itself

Dialogue in fiction is always written to be read in silence. The page is the limit. Dialogue on stage and on the screen is meant to be spoken. The voice is the limit.

I was able to read a movie before I was able to read a book