My mom says I'm destined to be the sort of man who uses big words but pronounces them incorrectly.

The beginning of the end can feel a lot like the middle when you are living in it.

When you're a kid, it's hard to tell the innocuous secrets from the ones that will kill you if you keep them.

Fiction helps me to reconnect with the true, deep weirdness inherent in everyday reality, in our dealings with one another, in just being alive.

It was sad and fierce all at once, alive with a lonely purity.

My older sister has entire kingdoms inside of her, and some of them are only accessible at certain seasons, in certain kinds of weather.

I spent most of my 20s with these alligator wrestlers in the swamps of South Florida.

It is a special kind of homelessness to be evicted from your dreams.

Self-disciplin e is necessary, but so is playfulness, flexibility, joy. When you stop demanding perfection of yourself, your writing desk will become a spacious place.

There are certain prehistoric things that swim beyond extinction.

You small mortals don't realize the power of your stories.

A true friend finds a way to celebrate—even in the worst moments of life—and forces it upon you.

The greatest force of humankind is the power of love.

...Myths aren’t fairy tales or legends—they’re an honest attempt to explain mysteries...

To arms! to arms! ye brave! The avenging sword unsheathe March on! march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death!

Our dad was a great guy and we will never forget him.

America is like some crazed, bewildered, rich giant bumbling around in a poor area with his pockets stuffed with money, and lots of weapons - just throwing stuff around.

When you step into that boat you have made a silent commitment to your team that you will do everything in your power to help them win.

The girl who swears no one has ever made love to her has a right to swear.

Too many tongues have gates which fly apart Too easily, and care for many things That don't concern them.

I'm a warrior, I went into jail for the drama. I'm the story of the terrorist cell of Osama