When it became clear that Lennon was not going to speak with me, it really became a how-I-didn't-get-the-story story. It was a caper.

Success and failure. We think of them as opposites, but they're really not. They're companions - the hero and the sidekick.

Why are we inspired by another person's courage? Maybe because it gives us the sweet and genuine surprise of discovering some trace, at least, of the same courage in ourselves.

I never intended to be a journalist. Frankly, I don't think I ever was a journalist. I backed into it.

All of us ambitious young writers hoped to have a cover story in Esquire, of course. The idea was to write the best, most entertaining article that you can.

I've never written a hard journalism piece in my life. I've never wanted to do that.

I listen to the Beatles all the time - in my car, at the gym. The Beatles are still part of my life. And because of that, John Lennon - in life and in death - remains part of my life.

To write an article about someone and then to have that person murdered is disturbing.

A scattered mind will produce scattered results.

War had the effect of encouraging people to try to stay alive. Poverty, too. Survival was simply too hard-won to be given up lightly.

Human making is our mission.

The best thing about being too late is that there's no more need to hurry.

Social media is not owned by marketing.

I find faith in human perseverance, even as the universe throws challenge after challenge our way.

Mind my own business.

Welcome to Atlanta Jack and hammers and vogues Back to the mackin' and jackin' the clothes Adolescents packin the fo'

I think that's good that I have to watch how I act and what I say. I think that's a part of growing up.

I don't want to be a mind rapist!