If it takes you seven years to write each novel, you need a patron. And I would rather have my corporate self as my patron than any arts council or bestower of grants.

I think walking is very useful, like sleeping and dreaming, as something that's important to my ability to write.

I think the most effective forms of critique are ones that establish a common ground for people to occupy, and then appeal to the best nature of people on that common ground.

I actually feel that personal matters, like religion and spirituality, are things that I really discuss only with intimates. I think it's, in a way, like sexuality, something where it touches upon something very private.

We need a self because the complexity of the chemical processes that make up our individual humanities exceeds the processing power of our brains.

The notion of love as a potentially destructive and potentially redemptive human force is something that comes across in all my books.

I don't know if I'm truly at home in any language.