To want to become the President is, I think, such a bizarre ambition that it is automatically deranging.

I think in American culture, we put value on economic success but tell people you don't have to be economically successful to be happy.

Anyone of conscience could come look at my book and see it as an esoteric oddity or be intrigued by it. It could happen either way on a thousand different little decisions each individual might make.

This is one of the defining sorrows of books: that we cannot see one another.

Lies are just another kind of storytelling, but with the very distinct and enlivening motive of desperation. Since writers are by nature desperate creatures, they usually do a pretty good (or pretty awful, but always interesting) job of lying.

There is no ritual that enhances creativity other than just starting.

My fame is due to broadcast television.