I hate to be categorized.

Then there was the whole concept of coal mining, which is a culture unto itself, the most dangerous occupation in the world, and which draws and develops a certain kind of man.

As a novelist, I tell stories and people give me money. Then financial planners tell me stories and I give them money.

The most beautiful women in the world were African.

Of course the biggest mafia in Russia has always been the government; in Soviet times, the Communist Party, and now a circle of former KGB and FSB.

I have another Russian idea, too, with a place and a period, so I guess I have enough to keep me busy for quite some time, especially considering that I'm such a slow writer.

Because normal human activity is worse for nature than the greatest nuclear accident in history.

The great thing about being a writer is that you are always recreating yourself.

I used to be treated like an idiot, now I'm treated like an idiot savant.

Mystery books. I must read a hundred a year. . . I just wish some of them were harder to figure out.

I'm very aware when I'm speaking to the English of how flat my Mid-Atlantic American voice is.

A very fine artist can take something quite ordinary and, through sheer artistry and willpower, turn it into a work of art.

Flowing egoism is not objectionable but if it is caught-up even a little-bit

If you make things sound inoffensively obvious, then it is likely that no one will listen.

After going through years of litigation to get royalties due to him, the guy who coined the term 'happily ever after' lived reasonably well for a while.

I always looked up to so many people before me and was lucky to become such good friends with them. I learned so much hanging out with those cats.

Man is entitled by birthright to a share of the earth's produce sufficient to fill the needs of his existence.

I said,'Instead of going in the direction that a lot of the women singers are going in [revealing], I'll be very, very sexy under 18 pounds of chiffon and lace and velvet...I will have mystique.

I have too many flaws to be perfect. But i have too many blessings to be ungrateful.