Quote

Every time I write a new novel about something sombre and sobering and terrible I think, 'oh Lord, they're not going to want to go here'. But they do. Readers of fiction read, I think, for a deeper embrace of the world, of reality. And that's brave.

The publishing world is very timid. Readers are much braver.

The best thing about being a fiction writer is that where the truth is inconvenient, I could veer away.

I write out of gratitude for all the books I have loved over the years.

Personally, I read fiction, in part, because I get to spend time with people who aren't my people.

I view myself as a fiction writer who just happens to write nonfiction. I think I look at the world through a fiction-writer's eyes.

With writing fiction, I'm either not courageous enough or just not suited for telling truths in a more conventional way. As an actor, I inhabit those characters as I'm writing them.

I'm completely indifferent to what genre I read provided that I feel sympathy with how a writer perceives being alive in the world.

Writing is such a solitary thing, so it's nice, when I'm discouraged, to see people still have such faith in fiction.

I don't think I'll ever stop being grateful to my readers for everything they've done for me.