I don’t know who my parents were. I know nothing about my inheritance. I could be Jewish; I could be part Negro; I could be Irish; I could be Russian. I am spiritually a mix anyway, but I did have a solid childhood fortunately, because of some wonderful women who brought me up. I never had a father or a man in the house, and that was a loss...

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

It was the silent time before dawn, along the shores of what had been one of the most beautiful lakes in southern Africa.

A writer can make a fortune in America, but he can't make a living.

No man leaves where he is and seeks a distant place unless he is in some respect a failure.

Creative geniuses are a slap-happy lot. Treat Them with respect.

First buy a cowboy hat and boots. Then you're on your way to being a Texan.