"I came to the United States a maladapted nineteen-year-old, with no English. If I can write a book, so can you."
"Whenever I hit a dead-end, I give in to my worst fear by "dislocating" myself. Traveling to unknown places has always enabled me to break through a writing block, as well as a living block. I don't drink, or smoke, not even casually. A clear mind is a writer's greatest gift."