And I'm convinced that knowing the names of things braces people up.

I am an American – Chicago born.

The best and purest human beings, from the beginning of time, have understood that life is sacred.

Death deserves dignity.

Is love supposed to ruin you? It seems to me you shouldn't destroy yourself out of life for purposes of love--or what good is it?

I don’t actually take much stock in the collapsing culture bit. I’m beginning to see it instead as the conduct of life without input from your soul.

With a novelist, like a surgeon, you have to get a feeling that you've fallen into good hands - someone from whom you can accept the anesthetic with confidence.