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

I finished 'America America,' and I knew I had to write another book, not just for personal reasons but because I had a contract.

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.'

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

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

I write with as much objectivity as I can.