I think now that is the nature of hymns-they make us want to repeat them...they are a part of any service, and often the only part of a funeral service, that makes us feel everything is acceptable.

The first of my father's illusions was that bears could survive the life led by human beings; the second was that human beings could survive a life in hotels.

...every study of the gods, of everyone's gods, is a revelation of vengeance towards the innocent.

What a phrase that is: 'that explains everything!' I know better than to think anything 'explains everything' today.

It doesn't really matter who said it - it's so obviously true. Before you can write anything, you have to notice something.

No one but me ever put a hand on me to feel that baby. No one wanted to put his ear against it and listen...You shouldn't have a baby if there's no one who wants to feel it kick or listen to it move.

I've always preferred writing in longhand. I've always written first drafts in longhand.