I have to say that I can’t stand lists of ‘must do’s’, whether in life or in writing. Something rebels in me when I’m told what I have to do before I’m fifty, or have to buy this season, or have to write if I want to be a success.

Perfection is always a desired goal, but it cannot be a primary goal. Expression has to be the primary goal, because otherwise, there is no need for an actual person to be there.

For example, I was a little surprised when I was talking to a friend who was going to go on the radio. He does work on cosmology and astronomy, and he wondered how he would explain what the applications of this work were. "Well," I said, "there aren't any." He said, "Yes, but then we won't get support for more research of this kind." I think that's kind of dishonest. If you're representing yourself as a scientist, then you should explain to the layman what you're doing—and if they don't want to support you under those circumstances, then that's their decision.

I absolutely don’t believe in doing … focus groups and all that shit. Proctor and Gamble-style, no risk. Just do it

Oh yeah. In finishing this book, the last thing that I did, I read every story aloud and made some changes in every one of them.

reconcile us to life as it is, and make us more real to ourselves.

I’m actually suspicious of people who have a lot of friends.

I used to tell Kristina, “I choose to be married to you every day.”

Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer’s a good idea.

Based on how the scene felt I completely switched the dynamics.