Not to excuse myself, but when you have people right in front of you denying your very presence like that, then see if you don't doubt whether you actually exist. I look at my hands half expecting to see clear through them.

Huge organizations and me don't get along. They're too inflexible, waste too much time, and have too many stupid people.

When I write a novel I put into play all the information inside me. It might be Japanese information or it might be Western; I don't draw a distinction between the two.

When I wake up, my pillow’s cold and damp with tears. But tears for what? I have no idea.

So once you're dead there's just nothing? Mari: Basically... Korogi: I get so scared when I start thinking about this stuff. I can hardly breathe, and my whole body wants to shrink into a corner. It's so much easier to just believe in reincarnation.

We never choose anything at all. Things happen. Or not.

Good style happens in one of two ways: the writer either has an inborn talent or is willing to work herself to death to get it.