A beginning idea for a book might be: a boy emerges from a hole in the ground. He enters a house. The book will take place in the first ten minutes following his arrival.

In searching for a way out of my own troubles, I had found my way into the troubles of others, some long gone, and now I was trying to find my way back out, through their troubles, as if we human beings can ever learn from one another.

I begin with an image of some sort, just as if you saw something out of a window, and then went to the window to see what it was.

The old man began to sing. His voice was very lovely and obviously a part of something that the world had disposed of in its haste, evidence of a grander, kinder past.

Sunday was always the best of days for being the self you had intended to be, but were not, for one reason or another.

Different times and different structures make more sense at one point in life than at another.

As far as ideas about book design: I have plenty. But I also try and let people do their jobs.