I'd like to take a motorcycle trip across Europe, maybe even across China. Of course I'd also like to broker a peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians, but it's important to put ceilings on one's ambitions.

I have to remind myself that some birds aren’t meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright.

the look of the sky as the day's blue blood runs out of its cheek.

the only mortal sin is giving up.

Kids know they can't make it alone, yet at the same time, built into each one of us, is a survival ethic. It says, "Nobody cares and you have to look out for yourself and if you don't, you'll die." These two things work against each other. I think most kids are very frightened of their parents, and that's what all fairy tales reflect: Parents will fail you and you'll be left on your own. But, of course, everything comes out right in the end and the parents take you back.

The act of writing itself is done in secret, like masturbation.

No one likes to see a government folder with his name on it.