I don't write to put it in a drawer, I hope that people see it.

The thing is that it's always a constant reminder of how violent this country has been, always has been, you know. I'm still frustrated with these conversations: [Barack] Obama is black so that means this, that things are better, or it means that you voted for him because he's black.

I just rode cross-country and the thing I noticed is just how afraid everyone is, and how nervous and scared and angry people are. From my point of view, I don't think it's all necessarily justified, but I think that's easy for me to say.

If all the world's a stage, I want to operate the trap door.

I try to be accommodating, but I'm pretty much a loner.

I remember going to see Amiri Baraka. It wasn't actually too long before he died. He said, "You've got to write to change the world!" I was like, "Not me, no, no, no, no."

It's so hard to say what you really mean. For any number of reasons: to protect yourself, or if you just can't find the words.