It was a very difficult time. I was working on [umble-Ardy] when my partner and friend was dying of cancer. We set up a room in the house to be like a hospital room. Eugene died, and then I had bypass surgery. I was doing the book to stay sane while all this was going on.

My father could be very witty, even if the humor was always on the darker side of irony.

When I did 'Bumble-ardy,' I was so intensely aware of death. Eugene, my friend and partner, was dying here in the house when I did 'Bumble-ardy'. I did 'Bumble-ardy' to save myself. I did not want to die with him. I wanted to live, as any human being does.

My big concern is me and what do I do now until the time of my death. That is valid. That is useful. That is beautiful. That is creative.

There's so much more to a book than just the reading.

Emeralds,' said the rabbit. 'Emeralds make a lovely gift.

I hate [ebooks]. It's like making believe there's another kind of sex. There isn't another kind of sex. There isn't another kind of book! A book is a book is a book.