Every book is three books, after all; the one the writer intended, the one the reader expected, and the one that casts its shadow when the first two meet by moonlight.

Observe, don't imitate.

If I were to write Web now, it would be a much, much darker book.

Sometimes the reader will decide something else than the author's intent; this is certainly true of attempts to empirically decipher reality.

There are people who believe in an absolutely transparent prose; with every respect for clarity of expression, I don't.

The language fictional characters use is chosen for effect, at least if the author is concentrating.

We're not lost. We're locationally challenged