I'm not as hopeful as I was when I was young

When I started out in the early 1930s, there were a great many magazines that published short stories. Unfortunately, the short-story market has dwindled to almost nothing.

The romantic idea is that everybody around a writer must suffer for his talent. I think a writer is a citizen of humanity, part of his nation, part of his family. He may have to make some compromises.

In a novel, it's hard to keep track of everybody

I never show anything to anybody until I've finished it

I haven't stuck to any formula. Most great writers stick to the same style, but I wanted to be more various

A good editor understands what you're talking and writing about and doesn't meddle too much.