My novels aren't really generated by a single conceptual spark; it's more a process of many different elements that come together unexpectedly over a long period of time.

It's interesting when a book comes to you. It comes to you in sort of flashes and you don't quite understand how they connect.

On the other hand, I mean, that is what writers have always been supposed to do, was to rely on their own devices and to--I mean, writing is a lonely business.

It's hard for me to show work while I'm writing, because other people's comments will influence what happens.

I'm a lazy writer. My idea of heaven is not writing. On the other hand, I'm obviously compulsive about it.

I write to discover what I think. After all, the bars aren't open that early.

When I start writing a poem, I don't think about models or about what anybody else in the world has done.