Whenever we got a glimpse, their faces looked indecently revealed, as though we were used to seeing women in veils.

It took courage to let things fall apart so beautifully.

I spend most of every day writing. I like to write every day if I can. I don't start extremely early.

Emotions, in my experience aren't covered by single words. I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret." I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic traincar constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster." Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy." ... I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar." I've never had the right words to describe my life.

I have a lot of novels that I haven't finished. I usually get 150 pages in and I realize it's not going anywhere. I don't publish everything I write. I must have six unfinished novels at least.

He had the feeling that there was something physically behind his eyes, blocking the light.

and she had succeeded, on the second try, in hurling herself out of the world