What writing practice, like Zen practice does is bring you back to the natural state of mind...The mind is raw, full of energy, alive and hungry. It does not think in the way we were brought up to think-well-mann ered, congenial.

So writing is not just writing. It is also having a relationship with other writers. And don't be jealous, especially secretly. That's the worst kind. If someone writes something great, it's just more clarity in the world for all of us.

So even though I couldn't bear writing about cancer, I faced it every day.

You'll lose your reader if you are vague, not clear, and not present. We love details, personal connections, stories.

Clarity and perseverance are difficult in American society because the basis of capitalism is greed and dissatisfaction.

I think book publishing is fun, but I also know I've been very lucky.

Writers end up writing about their obsessions. Things that haunt them; things they can’t forget; stories they carry in their bodies waiting to be released.