When I look back over my novels what I find is that when I think I'm finished with a theme, I'm generally not. And usually themes will recur from novel to novel in odd, new guises.

...aware, as always, that the truth isn't much of substitute for a good answer.

Structure is one of the things that I always hope will reveal itself to me.

America has always been a nation of small places, and as we lose them, we're losing part of ourselves.

A couple years ago, the novelist Russell Banks told me he was reading the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. I asked why. He said, 'Because I've always wanted to and am tired of having my reading assigned.' I thought it was a marvelous declaration of independence.

I just have this feeling that if it weren't for the Gloversville Free Library that I probably would not be a writer.

To expect reason is where the fallacy lies.