From where we stand the rain seems random. If we could stand somewhere else, we would see the order in it.

How can you stop writing?

I am 82 years old. I imagine that I will keep on writing as long as anyone wants to keep reading.

You write for two people, yourself and your audience, who are usually better educated and at least as smart.

The highest praise a writer can give another is to say he wishes he had written his book. I wish I had written Forty Words for Sorrow. Giles Blunt has a tremendous talent. If you miss Forty Words for Sorrow, you'll miss one of best novels of 2001.

A writer is like a bag lady going through life with a sack and a pointed stick collecting stuff.

I try to make my books reflect humanity as I see it.