Every writer I've ever spoken to feels fraudulent in some way or other.

Generally, the best recording is the original cast, because that's the way the piece grew: integrally, with them.

If you force yourself to write away from the piano, you come up with more inventive things. If you're too good a piano player, as some composers are, the music may become flavorless and glib. And if you're not a very good pianist, you're limited to the same patterns.

Every spoken word arouses our self-will.

Here I am, where I ought to be. A writer must have a place where he or she feels this, a place to love and be irritated with.

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have them feel something about it than dismiss it.