Far more disturbing than any spook house at an amusement park is a ride through the old hometown if you've been away for years.

Writing a short story is like having a short intense affair, whereas writing a novel is like a long rich marriage.

Even the handsomest men do not have the same momentary effect on the world as a truly beautiful woman does.

If you are a success in life, there are places you must go and pay to be humiliated. It is an unwritten law that human beings must be tormented throughout their lives in one way or another. If you are fortunate enough to have risen to a social level where no one does it to you for free, then you must pay for the service.

Salzburg... is a mountain town with a rushing river running right through the center, everything in the rain various shades of green and brown.

I write about what interests me. It's very dangerous when you try to satisfy an audience.

Its easy to lose sight of what you want when you think you want everything.