I think of evolution as a myth, like the Norse myths, the Greek myths - anybody's myths. But it was created for a rational age.

I've never met an American who wanted to build an empire.

Everybody is going to be what they are, and whatever they are, there's not going to be anything to apologize about.

My father was the editor of an agricultural magazine called 'The Southern Planter.' He didn't think of himself as a writer. He was a scientist, an agronomist, but I thought of him as a writer because I'd seen him working at his desk. I just assumed that I was going to do that, that I was going to be a writer.

(W)hat I write when I force myself is generally just as good as what I write when I'm feeling inspired. It's mainly a matter of forcing yourself to write.

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

America is a wonderful country! I mean it! No honest writer would challenge that statement! The human comedy never runs out of material! it never lets you down!