Stress is basically a disconnection from the earth, a forgetting of the breath.

I don't know anything but writing practice, and so what I really do is direct that energy as if it were flowing down a river.

Even an ice cream parlor - a definite advantage - does not alleviate the sorrow I feel for a town lacking a bookstore.

I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case it was going to end soon. So, I wrote that and it was very comforting to have that practice in the afternoons in my living room. I just wrote about my life.

Have compassion for yourself when you write. There is no failure - just a big field to wander in.

In writing with detail, you are turning to face the world. It is a deeply political act, because you are not staying in the heat of your own emotions. You are offering up some good solid bread for the hungry.

You live and then you die, I thought. It's good to have some good times.