I am madness maddened when it comes to books, writers, and the great granary silos where their wits are stored.

... bums on the outside, libraries inside.

The first thing a writer should be is - excited. He should be a thing of fevers and enthusiasms. Without such vigor, he might as well be out picking peaches or digging ditches; God knows it'd be better for his health.

If you're reluctant to weep, you won't live a full and complete life.

I was only kicking down the Christmas tree to get the star on top.

Writing is supposed to be difficult, agonizing, a dreadful exercise, a terrible occupation.

Into the air, over the valleys, under the stars, above a river, a pond, a road, flew Cecy. Invisible as new spring winds, fresh as the breath of clover rising from twilight fields, she flew.