Very few writers of distinction in fact were outstanding as undergraduates.

The despairing soul is a rebel.

Night comes to the desert all at once, as if someone turned off the light.

Writing! The activity for which the only adequate bribe is the possibility of suicide, one day.

I write so much because my cat sits on my lap. She purrs so I don't want to get up. She's so much more calming than my husband.

The mere passage of time makes us all exiles.

If you explore beneath shyness or party chit-chat, you can sometimes turn a dull exchange into an intriguing one. I've found this to be particularly true in the case of professors or intellectuals, who are full of fascinating information, but need encouragement before they'll divulge it.