You live your life at the time you live it -- you don't have much of an overview when what's happening to you is still happening.

… but only because exhaustion is a life-sign; it is at least a form of being human.

Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer. (a train)

You're nice,' Cushie told him, squeezing his hand. 'And you're my oldest friend.' But they both must have known that you can know someone all your life and never quite be friends.

I believe in plot, in development of character, in the effect of the passage of time, in a good story - better than something you might find in the newspaper. And I believe a novel should be as complicated and involved as you're capable of making it.

If you presume to love something, you must love the process of it much more than you love the finished product.

I still believe in getting married in churches and baptizing children. I go through those motions.