I love my sons and I love that they are writers - I also love my daughter, who's a minister and an orchard keeper! - but I wouldn't wish the burden of Mid-World and the Dark Tower on them. I enjoy working with them, though, because we fit together.

I write about rats because they scare the hell out of me. I think we tend to write out our phobias.

I see things, that's all. Write enough stories and every shadow on the floor looks like a footprint; every line in the dirt like a secret message.

What I tell kids is don't get mad (about censorship) get even. Run, don't walk, to the first library you can find, and read what they're trying to keep out of your eyes. Read what they're trying to keep out of your brains. Because that's exactly what you need to know.

I'd been raised by my parents to believe barfing your feelings on other people was the height of impoliteness.

And didn't they say that, although curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought the beast back?

By tomorrow at this time, I think you're going to have a much better idea of what crazy is. -- Ev Hillman