I was on the verge of jumping into one of those holes in life out of which we emerge a bit tattered and bloody, though we remain sure nonetheless that we had to make the jump.

I got $30 from Nation magazine for a poem and $500 for my first book of poems.

I don't see gender as the most significant fact of human existence.

Because most writers have totally unrealistic concepts of how publishing works.

Marriage is survived just on the basis of ordinary etiquette, day in and day out. Also cooking together helps a lot.

I'd rather get a brain tumor than go back to teaching.

The wilderness does not make you forget your normal life so much as it removes the distractions for proper remembering.