Real writers are those who want to write, need to write, have to write.

All I've tried to do (with my writing) is capture the essence of my time.

In one deep sense, novels are concealed autobiography. I don't mean that you are telling facts about yourself, but you are trying to find out what you really think or who you are.

I don't expect you'll hear me writing any poems to the greater glory of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

The urge to write poetry is like having an itch. When the itch becomes annoying enough, you scratch it.

The image that fiction presents is purged of the distractions, confusions and accidents of ordinary life.