Memory is a snare, pure and simple; it alters, it subtly rearranges the past to fit the present.

Prosperity or egalitarianism -- you have to choose. I favor freedom -- you never achieve real equality anyway: you simply sacrifice prosperity for an illusion.

Like writing, reading is a protest against the insufficiencies of life.

Life is a shitstorm, in which art is our only umbrella." (spoken by character in a novel by Mario Vargas Llosa)

The secret to a masterpiece is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration.

You cannot teach creativity - how to become a good writer. But you can help a young writer discover within himself what kind of writer he would like to be.

Its easy to know what you want to say, but not to say it

Writers are the exorcists of their own demons.

One can't fight with oneself, for this battle has only one loser.

No matter how ephemeral it is, a novel is something, while despair is nothing.

Literature is a form of permanent insurrection. Its mission is to arouse, to disturb, to alarm, to keep men in a constant state of dissatisfaction with themselves.

The great compete not only against others, but against themselves.

I think you're something wonderful.

All that is good is ours not by right but by the sheer bounty of a gracious God

I love seeing strong-willed women inspire little girls. I hope someday some new artist will say 'I was inspired by the Dixie Chicks.

Broaden your horizons. They're the only ones you'll ever have, so make the suckers as wide as possible.

Writings may be compared to wine. Sense is the strength, but wit the flavor.

Don't stop doing what you love. Don't let your future be ruined by a bunch of loony sand monkeys.

The only hope for the world is to make sure there is not another United States.

My dogs are more important than my family.

My friends are so cynical, they refuse to keep the faith.