The writer ... an athlete required to break the four-minute mile every morning.

What we know of others is our personal secret.

I knew that I had to find out more about van Gogh. Even though I was far too young, and felt I did not have sufficient technique to write a book about Vincent van Gogh, I knew I had to try. If I didn't I would never write anything else.

He made his colours, built his stretchers, plastered his canvas, painted his pictures, carpentered his frames, and painted them. 'Too bad I can't buy my own pictures,' he murmured aloud. 'Then I'd be completely self-sufficient.'

I do not know a better cure for mental illness than a book.

Religion will never show the way.

Normal people do not create art.