Too much self-regard has never struck me as dignified: trying to twist over my shoulder to view my own behind.

Suspense is one of the ways you persuade a reader to become engaged and stay engaged with your work.

Suppose that a person writes what she must. That is only the first step of becoming a writer. The work must survive the moment of creation. It must get out to an audience. She or he must dare to show the work. She must risk ridicule, misunderstanding, scandal, condemnation, & what's often worse, none of the above: silence. No attention at all.

Live as if you like yourself, and it may happen.

My strength and my weakness are twins in the same womb.

The incidence of violent brand-loyalty to one's own current dogma has risen.

Every Jewish holiday has a religious significance, a historical significance, and a relevance to the time of year in the natural calendar of the seasons and trees and growing things, as well as a personal significance. So you are always looking backward, outward, inward and forward.