Characters paralyzed by the meaninglessness of modern life still have to drink water from time to time.

She was a dull person, but a sensational invitation to make babies.

Alcohol and marijuana, if used in moderation, plus loud, usually low-class music, make stress and boredom infinitely more bearable.

Anyway -- because we are readers, we don't have to wait for some communications executive to decide what we should think about next -- and how we should think about it. We can fill our heads with anything from aardvarks to zucchinis -- at any time of night or day.

It was very exciting for her, taking his dignity away in the name of love.

Round and round we spin, with feet of lead and wings of tin.

Praise or damn as you please, but do so rather flatly, pragmatically, with cunning attention to annoying or gratifying details. Be yourself. Be unique. Be a good editor. The Universe needs more good editors, God knows.