My advice for aspiring writers is go to New York. And if you can’t go to New York, go to the place that represents New York to you, where the standards for writing are high, there are other people who share your dreams, and where you can talk, talk, talk about your interests. Writing books begins in talking about it, like most human projects, and in being close to those who have already done what you propose to do.

The lines we draw that make us who we are are potent by virtue of being non-negotiable, and even, at some level, indefensible.

I've been told my old city possesses a 'thriving arts scene,' whatever that is; personally, I think artists should lie low and stick to their work, not line-dance through the parks.

The most beautiful faces have some ugly in them.

I feel like my head is finally the right size. I feel like it finally fits around my mind.

Just breathing can be such a luxury sometimes.

It looked like just the sort of family Americans dream of having: dumb and loving.