I sometimes wonder if our memories are a myth. We think we remember, but we are remembering the story and not the actual event?

Actually, you’re not famous at all. Maybe you’ll get some traction after you’re dead?

I revise and revise and revise. I'm not even sure "revise" is the right word. I work a story almost to death before it's done.

I think anything we do - eating, walking down the street, online shopping - gives you another perspective on writing stories.

I agree with the Lev Tolstoy quote completely, but I also feel like there's more to it. What is a happy family and an unhappy family? We're probably both of those things at the same time.

A stellar, fully-realized collection of stories... grounded, wonderfully, in the river valleys of western Maine. You come away not only understanding a place but the soul of its people.

I've spent a lot of time in prisons, first doing legal work and later, teaching.

If a novel or a story works, you don't stop thinking about it; it doesn't truly end.

I have a friend who teaches yoga (or is it pilates?), and she said that I don't seem to live in the moment. And I said, "Exactly!" I'd go nuts if I lived in the moment.

I think some writers should wait for something to say.

I've spent so many years living in one place and imaging another.

I think only when you are truly alone can you see you never were.

Being able to inspire the body is an easy feat, but being able to inspire the soul as well is true talent.

War is a lot of things and it's useless to pretend that exciting isn't one of them. (pg. 144)

There's great peace in surrendering to principles

I wish I could play the lead role in one movie, one great movie.

I love the question-and-answer. I love to see liberals try to thrash their way to a coherent argument. And actually, I think it's fun to debate.

The true warrior isn't immune to fear. She fights in spite of it.

We could either develop paradise on Earth or oblivion; wipe ourselves out, only the future will tell. It's what you do to make the future.

Content is a word unknown to life; it is also a word unknown to man.

I love all things, not only the grand but the infinitely small: thimble, spurs, plates, flower vases.