The people you have to lie to, own you. The things you have to lie about, own you.

There are writers I know and respect who are very good about what's outside, and not too hot about what's inside.

Creativity is an innate function in a human being, as we see in tribal peoples, who spent their considerable leisure time making religious artifacts and sacred art. That is what I would call a direct culture, in that everybody in it is directly in touch with all the elements, both of the culture and of the environment.

All paths cause pain, so to chose the safe over the audacious will not give you less pain, only less beauty.

I require and enforce as non-interrupted a state of living as you can get in America right now without going off to live by yourself in the mountains.

It may be that it is not given to us to know when we are angels. We may only be given to know when others are. This may be one of the reasons we need each other so.

An artist doesn't depend upon inspiration or have to have it. An artist doesn't depend on mood, certainly not if you're earning your living with it. One of the definitions of a professional is you can do some writing if you have to, even in the most extreme situations.