I can only remember two books from college that moved me: E.M. Forster's 'Howards End' and F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby.'

I think even great writers only write two books that you might like. When I think of my touchstone writers like Saul Bellow, I think of 'Henderson the Rain King.' With Don DeLillo, I think of 'Libra.'

Books were king, but now movies are king and books are sort of ignored. So now there's no sense of a welcoming community where you live. So you search out your own little island.

When I write, I can become this ecstatic, crazy fellow, hearing the voices and just loosening up and letting them grow.

I have a very bad memory. I can't remember my own life very well.

I think one of the things that is essential for happiness in life, or at least for non-sadness, is producing something. I guess that's why I spend so much time and agony writing books. But working on carpentry is sort of like all the pleasure with none of the agony.