Tragedy is the highest form of art.

For what are the words with which to summarize a lifetime, so much crowded confused happiness terminated by such stark slow-motion pain?

Literature, art, like civilization itself, are only accidents.

As a farm girl, even when I was quite young, I had my 'farm chores' - but I had time also to be alone, to explore the fields, woods and creek side. And to read.

There is a terrible weight in all kinds of beauty

... such speculation is like staring into the hot white sun. you know the sun is there but you can't see a thing.

I was writing novels in high school and apprenticed myself in a way both to Faulkner and to Hemingway.