My father valued patriotism above all other social obligations, but he had his own particular interpretation of just how true patriotism was meant to function.

The biggest impact my father had on my life was teaching the importance of literacy.

For someone who loves literature, and all books on principle, being asked to name three titles over a half century of serious reading is akin to asking one to recall their three favorite sunsets.

My father thought of himself as a tradesman. A craftsman.

You didnt grow up in the shadow of John Steinbeck. He put you on his shoulders and gave you all the light you wanted.

I like writing, but I write for self-improvement more than I do for money.

My father believed, like Pericles, that a mans genius could be easily judged by the number of unenlightened fools set in phalanx against his ideas.

Plot makes the character just as history makes the man.

I started writing serious books so late because I knew Id be accused of riding on my fathers coattails.

Since I cant write the greatest American novel, Im going to write the longest American novel.

Smartass Disciple: What were said for things before the time exist?Master of Stupidity: No words to be said by no man at no time at all.

I spend half my time comforting the afflicated, and the other half afflicting the comfortable.

Fear is a fickle friend who will loyally stand by your side as long as you allow it to diminish you.

Shared grief is just pride with a sad face.

What a shame to be so angered by what you don't have that you treat what you do have like it's nothing.

Final Destination was the closest thing I've done to a teen movie but it certainly had an edge to it.

Humor is serious work. But it keeps everybody at the table.

What was premeditated murder if not calculated leverage?

Women were victims. Their husbands could beat them up when they wanted to. They couldn't work. They could be maimed and killed by their husbands.

Our lives are shaped as profoundly by personality as by gender or race. And the single most important aspect of personality ... is where we fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum.