Our choices are made, our will flexed, in the teeth of events that overwhelm us and devour us.

Experience belongs to the actor, but the story belongs to the teller. We write so we will never forget.

The twentieth century saw a professionalization of fiction writing, particularly in its second half and particularly in the Anglo-Saxon world - not so much mainland Europe, for example.

Our interaction with our friends, for instance, is in large part an interaction with representations in our own head of the people before us. That's why a friend can surprise or disappoint us.

No sight better expresses the politics of aid, the dynamics of the West and the developing countries, than the image of children, happy or in need.

Everything new is on the rim of our view, in the darkness, below the horizon, so that nothing new is visible but in the light of what we know.

That’s another argument for writing: making something that outlasts you.

When evil enters the world, do you think it comes with horns and cloven feet, billowing some foul stench?

Then, as now, I believe that the English use language to hide what they mean.

It’s always nice to learn a thing or two from a novel, don’t you think?

It is no consolation to reflect that every cause itself is an effect, making the search for causes and reasons a fool’s errand.

The process of creation can be unpredictable and, in some way, similar to love: the brightest waves of inspiration may sometimes occur in wrong timing, wrong places, or even with wrong people.

Telling the truth to yourself is Integrity

Popular opinions, on subjects not palpable to sense, are often true, but seldom or never the whole truth.

I read less of everything now. With only fond memories of others' work, it will be interesting to give my own journal writing a try now.

I do needlepoint from kits. I give them as gifts to people in the form of cushion covers and they are often speechless with horror.

People always ask me if I believe diamonds are a girl's best friend. Frankly, I don't.

I tend to go with a daytime look, pretty natural, but I always fill in my eyebrows - I hate if I leave the gym and my eyebrows aren't done; I'm just very uncomfortable with myself.

Ray Charles, who said to Stevie Wonder, Maybe we're white. Never got a dinner!

If I ever have a child.. Insh'allah I will... I wish it's a girl. I want a girl child.

Things come apart much easier than they go together.