I set many of my stories in a gritty "realist" world, but one that is plagued by an overuse of technology, which is akin to the world we find ourselves living in now.

The problems we have with our current technology often reveal our own human foibles, and it's these new emotions of cyberspace which reveal our struggles.

I think the future is intrinsically linked with our universal human problems. In fact, it's these very problems, and how we deal with them, which will determine our future.

I realize that I've had a very idyllic vision of what spirituality looks like. Honestly, most of Western culture has an idyllic and simplified idea of what enlightenment entails.

I'll take a [Pavel] Chekhov comparison any day! He's of course one of the great masters at the short story form, and has helped define traditional conflict as we understand it.

I really admire the experimentalists who challenge traditional narrative - writers like Ishmael Reed, Michael Martone, Donald Barthelme, Tatyana Tolstaya, George Saunders, and many others.

"Openness" [story] ultimately asks this same question - can a relationship survive complete honesty? As a romantic, I want to say "Yes, of course!" But, over time, I've come to agree with Dan Savage.

[George W.] Bush's presidency was one of the great nightmares of my life to date.

I will wait for you as long as it takes. I will love you every moment across time.

Single is a choice, just like Married is.

You can hide memories, suppress them, but you can’t erase the history that produced them

Just remember even your worst days only have 24 hours.

Prayer is the laying aside of thoughts.

It is not a woman I want - it is all women.

If you have to make mistakes, make them good and big, don't be middling if you can help it.

In vain will you fly from one vice if in your wilfulness you embrace another.

You know, people really don't understand what actors do.

I need NOW's defense like a fish needs a bicycle. I don't want them to defend me.