There Is A Shabby Nobility In Failing

Most All Of The Writers I Admired When I Was In My Teens And Twenties Died Young. Fitzgerald Lived The Longest. He Was 44. Dylan Thomas Was 39. And Then Once You're Approaching 40, You Suddenly Think, "well, Maybe I Would Like To Live Longer Than Fitzgerald Or Thomas."

Eat, Drink And Remarry Is My Motto.

Most Of The People I Write About Have Been Ambitious Outlanders Who Have Been Attracted To New York From Other Parts Of The World.

You Keep Thinking That With Practice You Will Eventually Get The Knack Of Enjoying Superficial Encounters, That You Will Stop Looking For The Universal Solvent, Stop Grieving. You Will Learn To Compound Happiness Out Of Small Increments Of Mindless Pleasure.

The Only Sensible Approach Is Not To Take It Too Seriously. What Counts Is The Writing.