I've never been in charge of my stories, they've always been in charge of me. As each new one has called to me, ordering me to give it voice and form and life, I've followed the advice I've shared with other writers over the years: jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.

Science and religion have to go hand in hand with the mystery, because there's a certain point beyond which you say, "There are no answers."

I believe in having fun first, and along the way, if you teach people, if you influence people, well and good.

To feed your Muse, then, you should always have been hungry about life since you were a child. If not, it is a little late to start.

I feel like I own all the kids in the world because, since I've never grown up myself, all my books are automatically for children.

Get rid of those friends of yours who make fun of you and don't believe in you. And when you leave here tonight, go home, make a phone call and fire them. Anyone that doesn't believe in you and your future, to hell with them.

If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down.