There where hundreds of graves. There where hundreds of women. There were hundreds of daughters. There were hundreds of sons. And hundreds upon hundreds upon thousands of candles. The whole graveyard was one swarm of candleshine as if a population of fireflies had heard of a Grand Conglomeration and had flown here to settle in and flame upon the stones and light the brown faces and the dark eyes and the black hair.

I like to watch people. Sometimes I ride the subway all day and look at them and listen to them. I just want to figure out who they are and what they want and where they're going.

The great thing about my life is that everything I've done is a result of what I was when I was 12 or 13.

Ours is a culture and a time immensely rich in trash as it is in treasures.

Every story I've written was written because I had to write it. Writing stories is like breathing for me; it is my life.

How to feel your way toward something honest, hidden under the trapdoor on the top of your skull.

What are you up to now?" "I'm sill crazy. The rain feels good. I love to walk in it.