One of the characteristics of mudslinging is that mud sticks if it's thrown with enough force for long enough.

I have always thought, the secret purpose of the book tour is to make the writer hate the book he's written. And, as a result, drive him to write another book.

There is a point beyond which conciliation looks like capitulation. I do not believe I passed that point, but others have thought otherwise.

It matters, it always matters, to name rubbish as rubbish; that to do otherwise is to legitimize it.

Normally when I read, I don't like music playing.

I think, in a written novel, the way in which you play with the readers' emotion or the way in which you engage the readers' emotions can be very indirect. You could come at it through irony or comedy, etcetera, and you could capture people's sympathies and feelings kind of by stealth if you like.

Live on, survive, for the earth gives forth wonders. It may swallow your heart, but the wonders keep on coming. You stand before them bareheaded, shriven. What is expected of you is attention.