They could not understand the advantage of living contrary to their inclinations in this world in order to enjoy a hypothetical well-being in another.

There is no death, daughter. People die only when we forget them,' my mother explained shortly before she left me. 'If you can remember me, I will be with you always.

Eros is very close to death. And both things, in a way, balance each other.

Write what should not be forgotten.

I carry around a little stool to stand on when people want a picture with their cellular phones.

The one that came really easy was the Japanese lover, because he's like a ghost in the book. He's always in the background like a spirit, like a shadow, almost. There's a very delicate line there.

Writing is like making love. Don't worry about the orgasm, just concentrate on the process.