Remember, the firemen are rarely necessary. The public itself stopped reading of its own accord.

Everything of mine is permeated with my love of ideas-both big and small. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it grabs me and holds me, facinates me. And then I'll run out and something about it... I write for fun.

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

I think the only way we can grow and get on in this world is to accept the fact we're not perfect and live accordingly.

The reason I shift gears constantly, why I'm doing an opera, why I've done essays, why I've written poetry for years that nobody wanted, why I do short stories and novels and screenplays... is so I will have new ways of failing. This means becoming a student again.

Libraries are the center of our lives. There's no use going to a university if you don't live at the library.

Write 1000 words a day. That's only about four pages, but force yourself to do it. Put your finger down your throat and throw up. That's what writing's all about.