The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock - shock is a worn-out word - but astonish.

The important thing in writing is the capacity to astonish. Not shock—shock is a worn-out word—but astonish.

I think the degree of alienation and despair is more universal.

Peter Beard is one of those people I've known a long time. We have an affinity. We share certain values.

When Kubrick decided to go the black comedy route with his movie, he thought of me to give it that flavor.

David Burnett was the son of Martha Foley, who edited the Best American Short Stories series. She hired me to work with David and her to read stories for the anthology.