Not everything people did could be in a correct, logical order, especially when they were alone.

When people ask, "Is there any advice you'd give a young writer?," I say write short stories. They afford lots of failure. Pastiche is a great way to start.

...beauty, she had discovered occupied a narrow band. Ugliness, on the hand, had infinite variation.

The world should take note: not everything is getting worse.

Oblivion seemed the only reasonable option.

Especially difficult when the first and best unconscious move of a dedicated liar is to persuade himself he's sincere. And once he's sincere, all deception vanishes.

In Leon's account of his life, no-one was mean-spirited, no-one schemed or lied or betrayed; everyone was celebrated at least in some degree... Leon turned out to be a spineless, grinning idiot.