History is the present. That's why every generation writes it anew. But what most people think of as history is its end product, myth.

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

All secrets become deep. All secrets become dark. That's in the nature of secrets.

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.

When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

Never underestimate the determination of a kid who is time-rich and cash-poor.

I am often asked the question How can the masses permit themselves to be exploited by the few. The answer is By being persuaded to identify with them.

The three most important documents a free society gives are a birth certificate, a passport, and a library card.

Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

The sins of women and children, domestic servants and the weak, the poor and the ignorant, are the sins of the husbands and fathers, the masters, the strong and the rich and the educated.

Remember, however bad thingsmight be right now, this momentwill pass and your life will continueto be a good one.

I believe in collaboration, which is why I work with others to make positive contributions of consequence, and why I have made a very clear and unwavering commitment to remain absolutely apolitical.

No easy problems ever come to the President of the United States. If they are easy to solve, someone else has solved them.

My father was frightened of his mother. I was frightened of my father and I am damned well going to see to it that my children are frightened of me.

Whoever will give sadaqa, his wealth will increase.

I had somebody say to me once, 'You can't make the kind of music you're making and call yourself a feminist.' The door was slammed on them swiftly after that.

Literature is the province of imagination, and stories, in whatever guise, are meditations on life.

There was no "me" in Alchemy. Well, phonetically there was, but that wasn't the point.

I am committed to glamour.