If you try to write a novel in L.A., you're a chump; everyone is speeding by, and you're driving a rickshaw.

A novel, at least for me, cannot be visualized at one time.

When I write, I can become this ecstatic, crazy fellow, hearing the voices and just loosening up and letting them grow.

I like to write about the moment of light in the hour of darkness.

I think even great writers only write two books that you might like. When I think of my touchstone writers like Saul Bellow, I think of 'Henderson the Rain King.' With Don DeLillo, I think of 'Libra.'

In medical school, you're taught to write in this convoluted, Latinate way. I knew the vocabulary as well as anyone, but I would write kidney instead of nephric. I insisted on using English.