Without craft, art remains private. Without art, craft is merely hackwork.

Detroit, my 'great' subject, made me the person I am, consequently the writer I am - for better or worse.

Nothing is accidental in the universe - this is one of my Laws of Physics - except the entire universe itself, which is Pure Accident, pure divinity.

My students often say, "My roommate read this story and really liked it", and it's hard to convince them that there are things wrong with it. I say, "well, people who love you want you to be happy. But I'm your professor and I'm supposed to be teaching you something."

On the elusive gift of blending austerity of craft with elasticity of allure.

The worst thing: to give yourself away in exchange for not enough love.

To be knocked out doesn't mean what it seems. A boxer does not have to get up.