A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep.

Perhaps the story you finish is never the one you begin.

In general, writers shouldn't be killed for what they write, though I can think of exceptions.

It seems that the right of freedom of speech that was enshrined in numerous constitutions is now under attack by religious institutions.

People must be protected from prejudice against their person. But people cannot be protected from prejudice against their ideas - because otherwise we're all done.

Writers have been in terrible situations and have yet managed to produce extraordinary work.

I do think there was a period there when my sanity was under intense pressure, and I didn't know what to say or do or how to act. I was literally living from day to day.