I do novels a bit backward. I look for a situation, a milieu first, and then I wait to see who walks into it.

The problem with fiction, it has to be plausible. That's not true with non-fiction.

I never forget. I never forgive. I can wait. I find it very easy to harbor a grudge. I have scores to settle.

Sometimes we don't even realize what we really care about, because we get so distracted by the symbols.

They were...well, Beautiful People! - not 'students', 'clerks', 'salesgirls', 'executive trainees' - Christ, don't give me your occupation-game labels! We are Beautiful People, ascendant from your robot junkyard.

Frankly, these days, without a theory to go with it, I can't see a painting.

My entire career, in fiction or nonfiction, I have reported and written about people who are not like me.