When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which is to be barely known at all.

Short stories amount for the most part to parlour tricks, party favours with built-in snappers, gadgets for including recognition and reversals

Writing is like the relationship with your bowels. First you can, then you can't. Finally, you must. Only then should you reach for the paper.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

Why are stamps adorned with kings and presidents? That we may lick their hinder parts and thump their heads.

Occasionally a student writer comes up with something really beautiful and moving, and you won't know for years if it was an accident or the first burst of something wonderful.

A lot happens by accident in poetry.