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

I long for the simplicity of theatre. I want lessons learned, comeuppances delivered, people sorted out, all before your bladder gets distractingly full. That's what I want. What I know is what we all know, whether we'll admit it or not: every attempt to impose the roundness of a well-made play on reality produces a disaster. Life just isn't so, nor will it be made so.

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

At one point I intended to write precursor and sequel novels, about the establishment of the Web and its next evolution, but I am very unlikely to now; they would take place in a different universe.

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

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

We're all living on borrowed time. The trick is to come up with works of sufficient interest to pay off the debt.