I don't like the idea of the black race being diluted out of existence. I like the idea of all of us being here.

I like the concentration, the crush; I like working with language, as others like working with clay, or notes.

A writer should get as much education as possible, but just going to school is not enough; if it were, all owners of doctorates would be inspired writers.

And if sun comes / How shall we greet him? / Shall we not dread him, / Shall we not fear him / After so lengthy a / Session with shade?

Art is a refining and evocative translation of the materials of the world.

Words can do wonderful things. They pound, purr. They can urge, they can wheedle, whip, whine. They can sing, sass, singe. They can churn, check, channelize. They can be a "Hup two three four." They can forge a fiery army of a hundred languid men.

Very early in life I became fascinated with the wonders language can achieve. And I began playing with words.