Plantie is a very strong Protestant, that is to say, he's against all churches, especially the Protestant: and he thinks a lot of Buddha, Karma and Confucius. He is also a bit of an anarchist and three or four years ago he took up Einstein and vitamins.

For the essential thing about the work of art is that it is work, and very hard work too.

Nothing like poetry when you lie awake at night. It keeps the old brain limber. It washes away the mud and sand that keeps on blocking up the bends. Like waves to make the pebbles dance on my old floors. And turn them into rubies and jacinths; or at any rate, good imitations.

A novel should be an experience and convey an emotional truth rather than arguments.

No doubt any connoisseur, any collector, some bored old millionaire when he shows off his treasures, is seeking in your praise the resurrection and the life.

I write the big scenes first, that is, the scenes that carry the meaning of the book, the emotional experience.

Remember I'm an artist. And you know what that means in a court of law. Next worst to an actress