I don't need to be vindicated, and I don't want attention.

If you want to be a good writer, be the best writer in the world. That's what I've done.

I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it.

You can't learn to write in college. It's a very bad place for writers because the teachers always think they know more than you do - and they don't. They have prejudices. They may like Henry James, but what if you don't want to write like Henry James? They may like John Irving, for instance, who's the bore of all time.

I don't like grand restaurants or kowtowing waiters. I don't need that kind of attention and I don't want it.

It came to my attention that The Ink People might not do the event. Nobody was taking the lead, taking the reins and getting it started.