I Believe Only In Art And Failure.

I Remember How Surprised I Was When My First Novel Was About To Be Published And I Was Informed That I Could Be Sued For Anything Any One Of My Characters Said. 'but I Often Don't Agree With What They Say,' I Protested. The Lawyer Was Not Interested In The Clear Distinction I Make Between My Own Voice And The Voices Of My Characters. Neither, I Have Found, Are Many Of My Readers.

If We Don't Bear Witness As Citizens, As People, As Individuals, The Right That We Have Had To Life Is Sacrificed. There Is A Silence, Instead Of A Speaking Presence.

As A Writer, I Must Be Free To Say What Is In All The Diversity I Can Command. I Regret The Distorting Prejudices That Surround Me, Whether They Affect Homosexuals Or Men Or The Physically Handicapped And I Can't Alone Defeat Them. They Will Not Defeat Me, Either As A Lesbian Or A Writer.

This Desert Town Was Man's Own Miracle Of Pure Purposelessness.

My Private Measure Of Success Is Daily. If This Were To Be The Last Day Of My Life Would I Be Content With It? To Live In A Harmonious Balance Of Commitments And Pleasures Is What I Strive For.