From what we are, spirit; from what we do, matter. Matter and spirit are one.

A story, to me, has a particular sprite, like the angel of the spirit of that story - and it's my job to attend to what it wants to do.

I am a religious person, although I am not a believer.

It’s like having to make a choice: a blessing or a curse. The one thing you can’t do is choose neither.

Her last conscious thought was disgust at life; her senses had lied to her. The world was not made of energy and delight but of foulness, betrayal, and lassitude. Living was hateful, and death was no better, and from end to end of the universe this was the first and last and only truth.

Just sort of relax your mind and say yes, it does hurt, I know. Don't try and shut it out.

The best way to get kids to read a book is to say: 'This book is not appropriate for your age, and it has all sorts of horrible things in it like sex and death and some really big and complicated ideas, and you're better off not touching it until you're all grown up. I'm going to put it on this shelf and leave the room for a while. Don't open it.