Writers are not just people who sit down and write. They hazard themselves. Every time you compose a book your composition of yourself is at stake.

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.

All secrets become deep. All secrets become dark. That's in the nature of secrets.

Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon.

When in trouble or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout.

Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.

Never underestimate the determination of a kid who is time-rich and cash-poor.

I am often asked the question How can the masses permit themselves to be exploited by the few. The answer is By being persuaded to identify with them.

The three most important documents a free society gives are a birth certificate, a passport, and a library card.

Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia.

This is why I loved technology: if you used it right, it could give you power and privacy.

I want to do action, romantic comedy, and I love drama.

The only tool we have to fix the problems of this country - the democratic process - is itself broken. Which is why nothing will fundamentally change until we solve the problem of money in politics.

There's just something sexy about feeling strong.

The proper study of mankind is man in his relation to his deity.

I can stand out the war with any man.

The only time I am ever miserable is when I do something just for the money.

A man's pursuit of knowledge is greater than his shortcomings, the limits of his vision.

All my fears and cares are of this world; if there is another, an honest man has nothing to fear from it.

I could not comprehend the justice of that law, or that religion, which upholds or recognizes the principle of slavery.

From my point of view, there is a tremendous amount to be said for secular humanism.