I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.

a soldier lives always for the next battle, because he knows that before it arrives impossible changes can occur in his favor.

I was born to a woman I never knew and raised by another who took in orphans. I do not know my background, my lineage, my biological or cultural heritage. But when I meet someone new, I treat them with respect.... For after all, they could be my people.

During my lifetime I have met dozens of writers and photographers in dozens of different countries. But I have encountered no one who could both write and photograph with the artistry of Robert Vavra.

The rules seem to be these: If you have written a successful novel, everyone invites you to write short stories. If you have written some good short stories, everyone wants you to write a novel. But nobody wants anything until you have already proved yourself by being published somewhere else.

All I can do is play the game the way the cards fall.

America is a nation with many flaws, but hopes so vast that only the cowardly would refuse to acknowledge them.