Not every book has to be loaded with symbolism, irony, or musical language, but it seems to me that every book-at least every one worth reading-is about something.

Sometimes the only thing to do is to take the thing that you must have. Even if someone gets hurt.

I can't see the future, but it's grim. The depletion of resources - we're living in this dine-and-dash economy.

You can't be careful on a skateboard.

The greatest mystery the universe offers is not life but Size.

And if there are no cars or planes, and if no one’s Uncle John is out in the wood lot west of town banging away at a quail or pheasant; if the only sound is the slow beat of your own heart, you can hear another sound, and that is the sound of life winding down to its cyclic close, waiting for the first winter snow to perform last rites.

Now comes the big question: What are you going to write about? And the equally big answer: Anything you damn well want. Anything at all .... as long as you tell the truth.