Every novel deals with social problems. It can't help it because the protagonist must come in conflict with his group. So the author has to offer an analysis of how the group and the protagonist fit. Otherwise, the reader will just say, "This makes no sense," and will put it away.

In every society, the artists will be the ones who set themselves up as contrary to whatever the society expects.

A novelist has two lives-- a reading and writing life, and a lived life. he or she cannot be understood at all apart from this.

My mom was paranoid about my safety.

Candy is my fuel. Ice cream, too.

If novels and stories are bulletins from the progressive states of ignorance a writer passes through over the years, observations and opinions about horses are all the more so, since horses are more mysterious than life and harder to understand.

Your sons weren't made to like you. That's what grandchildren are for.