My spirit life very much depends on my work. My work very much depends on my spirit life. And I pray every day, as part of my own ritual, to a god I believe in, not a god somebody else believes in.

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.

An artist without obsession isn't worth a damn!

We have to be realistic about the brutal demands a money culture puts on the psyche, and there is a great cost to this in terms of creativity. Look at the state of people at 65. How many of them become creative after having to survive in the money culture?

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

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

If I had the money and the drinking capacity, I'd probably live at a roulette table and let my life go to hell.