It is true that I didn't write any poetry between 1995 and 2011. The reason for this was probably because I had stayed away from fiction for so long and couldn't tear myself away from it.

I find that biographical material holds me back, hampers my creative process, cramps my imagination.

I must say that, on the whole, I prefer fiction to poetry.

How can you teach someone to be creative? You have to create yourself.

In fact, the very phrase "teaching creative writing" sounds to me oxymoronic. How can you teach someone to be creative?

Imagination is so much more fertile than life.

Except for the usual house chores, doing income tax, etc., I am free to write whenever I want.

That is one more reason why I write in English only right now. I prefer writing in the language I hear around me for the people by whom I am surrounded.

I think I view myself primarily as a fiction writer. Poetry is more of a "hobby," a time of rest from the hard work of writing fiction.

Don’t grieve when people fail to recognize your ability. Grieve for your lack of ability instead.

When in doubt as to what you should do, err on the side of 'giving.

We must strongly resist reductions in diversity, especially when it happens, either directly or indirectly, because of our own activities.

I'd like to apologise to the British people for the state our politics is in.

Half the world's troubles come from men not being trained to resent a fallacy as much as an insult.

You won't hear from me again.

Do not say we are weak; we can do anything and everything. What can we not do? Everything can be done by us; we all have the same glorious soul, let us believe in it.

In becoming an American, from Europe, what one has in common with that other immigrant is contempt for me-it's nothing else but color.

If you look good, we look good.