It amazes me what humans can do, even when streams are flowing down their faces and they stagger on, coughing and searching, and finding.

It was the beginning of the greatest Christmas ever. Little food. No presents. But there was a snowman in their basement.

The human child – so much cannier at times than the stupefyingly ponderous adult.

I certainly wasn't born with creative writing. Maybe there's a certain amount of learning and then it's up to the person. I think in the end it's your favourite books that are the best teachers. That's the way I've learned the most, by far.

I'm not a writer who refuses to talk about a book until I've finished.

She let herself love me for three minutes. Can three minutes last forever? I ask myself, but already know the answer. Probably not, I reply. But maybe they last long enough.

You cannot be afraid, Read the book. Smile at it. It's a great book-the greatest book you've ever read.