I want to give the evidence in a way that is convincing, but I don't want to cheat.

My father combined many of the elements that were feared in the culture, but also he was a warm figure, a figure we needed. We depended on him to give us a little bit of strength and courage.

There's something human that has to do with time and space and being who I am that is in progress and always will be in progress. And who I am, on different days, different moments, depends on different aspects of my past.

I really dislike it when people talk about "experimental," because any good writer is experimental.

There is no American history. There is no French history. There is no John Wideman. There are all these dreams that are floating around. People construct them and fight with them and criticize them, and the world goes on. I don't think the stars pay much attention.

I get off on anticipating and waiting much more than I get off on the actual event.

Hell, I'm going to play pro basketball. I'm going to maybe be famous. I'm going to write books.