Grieving is like being ill. You think the entire world revolves around you and it doesn't.

Sometimes I claim I write because I put in an application at Sears and they've never called back.

People who've had happy childhoods are wonderful, but they're bland... An unhappy childhood compels you to use your imagination to create a world in which you can be happy. Use your old grief. That's the gift you're given.

You write one book and you're ready for fame and fortune. I don't know that people are spending the time and attention on learning how to write-which takes years. Everybody sees the success stories.

Insecure people have a special sensitivity for anything that finally confirms their own low opinion of themselves.

You kill people you hate or you kill in rage or you kill to get even, but you don't kill someone you're indifferent to.

Life was reduced to its four basic elements: air, food, drink, and a good friend.