A writer should express criticism and indignation at the dark side of society and the ugliness of human nature, but we should not use one uniform expression.

Loneliness and hunger were my fortunes of creation.

A writer should always bravely face life, risking death and mutilation in order to dethrone an emperor.

My works are Chinese literature, which is part of world literature. They show the life of Chinese people as well as the country's unique culture and folk customs.

I know what real courage is, and I understand true compassion.

Where there's life, death is inevitable. Dying's easy; it's living that's hard. The harder it gets, the stronger the will to live. And the greater the fear of death, the greater the struggle to keep on living.

I think that China has many outstanding authors, and their great works should also be recognised by the world.