Some bioengineering is good, especially if it results in plants that are more drought-resistant or perennial food crops.

The responsible treatment of this particular Ring of Power is not necessarily to toss it into the Cracks of Doom. But we have to come up with something rather quickly, or what we'll get is the Land of Mordor.

A ratio of failures is built into the process of writing. The wastebasket has evolved for a reason.

You hear doom and gloom about the Internet ruining young people's command of English - that's nonsense.

We understand more than we know.

I think the main thing is: Just do it. Plunge in! Being Canadian, I go swimming in icy cold lakes, and there is always that dithering moment. "Am I really going to do this? Won't it hurt?" And at some point you just have to flop in there and scream. Once you're in, keep going. You may have to crumple and toss, but we all do that. Courage! I think that is what's most required.

I became a poet at the age of sixteen. I did not intend to do it. It was not my fault.