The only really good piece of advice I have for my students is, 'Write something you'd never show your mother or father. And you know what they say? I could never do that!'

Your numbness is something perhaps you cannot help. It is what the world has done to you. But your coldness. That is what you do to the world.

This is what happened in love. One of you cried a lot and then both of you grew sarcastic.

For love to last, you had to have illusions or have no illusions at all. But you had to stick to one or the other. It was the switching back and forth that endangered things.

Usually she ordered a cup of coffee and a cup of tea, as well as a brownie, propping up her sadness with chocolate and caffeine so that it became an anxiety.

A short story is a love affair, a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film.

One had to build shelters. One had to make pockets and live inside them.

They had, finally, the only thing anyone really wants in life: someone to hold your hand when you die.

She was unequal to anyone's wistfulness. She had made too little of her life. Its loneliness shamed her like a crime.

If one publishes, then one is creating a public record of Learning to Write.

(Such a life)engaged gross quantities of hope and despair and set them wildly side by side, like a Third World country of the heart.

The freedom is a tear digging into the flesh. (Doina Ruști -Manuscrisul fanariot)

Just as our kids don't understand the difference between broadcast and cable, the line between TV and Internet TV is about to disappear.

I do not know what the heart of a rascal may be, but I know what is in the heart of an honest man; it is horrible.

Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child. Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

I prefer younger men. In some ways, they are much more open to a woman being stronger and independent then some of the men my age.

The best of us being unfit to die, what an unexpressible absurdity to put the worst to death.

I really enjoy making sure the kids get a healthy dinner, a good bath and several books... I really like to try and end the day with some quality time with my kids. If not, I feel guilty.

The bravest people are the ones who don’t mind looking like cowards.

Consistently wise decisions can only be made by those whose wisdom is constantly challenged.

War is capitalism with the gloves off and many who go to war know it but they go to war because they don't want to be a hero.