It took me 10 years to write a story that pleased me - that I could look at after it was published and not cringe.

Somewhere along the way America became a giant mall with a country attached.

It is sort of weird being honored for the worst day of your life.

Late bloomer' is another way of saying 'slow learner.

By the end of the first decade of writing, I considered myself a confirmed failure in the eyes of the world.

I never listen to music when I'm writing.

Americans are incredibly polite as long as they get what they want.

There was no such thing as perfection in this world, only moments of such extreme transparency that you forgot yourself, a holy mercy if there ever was one.

If you could figure out how to live with family then you'd gone a long way toward finding your peace.

The funny thing is, about the time I let go of any aspiration toward worldly success, that's about the time I started writing decent work.

I kept going back while I was writing the novel - which never sold, may it rest in peace - and by the time it was finished I had too many connections to Haiti to walk away.

Do not use life to give life to death. Do not use death to bring death to life.

With such thoughts in your mind, now that you have resolved to love Him and please Him with all your strength, your only fear should be to fear God too much and to place too little confidence in Him.

You can't please everyone, so proudly exclude people.

Lust-bred diseases rot thee.

Charlie Chaplin's genius was in comedy. He has no sense of humor, particularly about himself.

I believe in freedom of expression, I don't believe in censorship.

We keep wanting to save those who are forlorn in this world. It’s a male habit.

Small victories are bet­ter than none.

I don't normally have time to read, so when I go away I like to take a few books.

Apart from the traditional paintings I also dabble with a little photography.