After working as a journalist I went to a writing program at Johns Hopkins. It was interesting because it was neither journalistic nor historical, but it emphasized writing style, and afterwards I was asked to write my first book.

I may attempt a novel. I think that no matter what you write, it requires being honest with oneself, and you have to pull yourself out of the whirlwind of daily life.

There isn't much in the way of pure communist spirit, because the whole nation seems to be engaged in capitalistic enterprises. Much of the country still operates under government control.

Your first duty as a writer is to write to please yourself. And you have no duty towards anyone else.

Almost all people have this potential for evil, which would be unleashed only under certain dangerous social circumstances.

There isn't much discussion of ruling class in America even in Boston, probably one of the most class-conscious cities in the country?

I don't mind solitude. I love talking to other people, but I do need my space.