I went to college to study hospitality. I quickly got out of that and realized that what I liked to do was write.

Maybe I'm a serial regional writer. First here, then there, across the map.

Maturity, as I conceived it, was recognizing what was bad or peculiar in life, admitting it has to stay that way, and going ahead with the best of things.

I'm kind of a distractible guy.

Americans don't have saner gun laws because most Americans, including those citizens who puzzle over better angels, don't want saner gun laws.

Most things don't stay the way they are for very long. I take nothing for granted and try to be ready for the change that's soon to come.

My father died in my arms. That's tumult. That's everything exploding.