With me, a story usually begins with a single idea or mental picture. The writing of the story is simply a matter of working up to that moment, to explain why it happened or what caused it to follow.

I suppose that people, using themselves and each other so much by words, are at least consistent in attributing wisdom to a still tongue.

Only when the clock stops does time come to life

Some days in late August at home are like this, the air thin and eager like this, with something in it sad and nostalgic and familiar.

You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.

The books I read are the ones I knew and loved when I was a young man and to which I return as you do to old friends.

A writer is trying to create believable people in credible moving situations in the most moving way he can.