I quit law in 1988 to start writing, and it took me 17 years from that point to get a book contract. I guess you can say I was on the slow train.

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

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

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.

All believers are called to be holy in mind, body, and spirit (1 Peter 1:15).

I never worry about being driven to drink I just worry about being driven home.

You only live but once, and when your died your done, so let the good times roll.

I've goofed, and there's been something interesting, but I haven't made use of it. It just doesn't interest me.

I'm not Russell Crowe. I'm not going to do a period piece.

I wanted to compete at the highest level again - and that's the NBA.

When looking back, usually I'm more sorry for the things I didn't do than for the things I shouldn't have done.

That human behavior is more influenced by things outside of us than inside. The situation is the external environment. The inner environment is genes, moral history, religious training.

You should not open your mouth except to express gratitude for benefits you have received, and never to mention your discontent.