All of us ambitious young writers hoped to have a cover story in Esquire, of course. The idea was to write the best, most entertaining article that you can.

Why are we inspired by another person's courage? Maybe because it gives us the sweet and genuine surprise of discovering some trace, at least, of the same courage in ourselves.

I never intended to be a journalist. Frankly, I don't think I ever was a journalist. I backed into it.

All of us ambitious young writers hoped to have a cover story in Esquire, of course. The idea was to write the best, most entertaining article that you can.

I listen to the Beatles all the time - in my car, at the gym. The Beatles are still part of my life. And because of that, John Lennon - in life and in death - remains part of my life.

Success and failure. We think of them as opposites, but they're really not. They're companions - the hero and the sidekick.

I've never written a hard journalism piece in my life. I've never wanted to do that.