What I expect from writers-and from myself as a writer-is to articulate a complex view of things. To incite us to be more compassionate. To orchestrate our mourning. And to celebrate ecstasy.

Why wouldn't you write to escape yourself as much as you might write to express yourself? It's far more interesting to write about others.

Love words, agonize over sentences. And pay attention to the world.

Unfortunately, moral beauty in art - like physical beauty in a person - is extremely perishable.

Art is seduction, not rape.

'Camp' is a vision of the world in terms of style - but a particular style. It is the love of the exaggerated.

Compassion is an unstable emotion. It needs to be translated into action, or it withers.