Abstraction is a mental process we use when trying to discern what is essential or relevant to a problem; it does not require a belief in abstract entities.
What libertarians assert is simply that differences among normal adults do not imply different fundamental rights.
Guardians are necessary for children and abnormal adults, because they cannot make responsible choices for themselves.
To repeat, communitarians maintain that we are constituted as persons by our particular obligations, and therefore those obligations cannot be a matter of choice.
I don't think we'll ever lose the desire for people to tell stories or to hear stories or to be entrapped in a beautiful story.
We all have secrets. We've all kept secrets. We've had secrets kept from us, and we know how that feels.
I like to think I've grown as a writer and taken some risks, but I still consider myself to be a literary writer.
There's a market for mysteries for adults. That feeling of opening a book and delving inside and not coming out until you've closed the book.
Lots of people have objections to prizes of all types, and it would be extraordinary if everybody agreed on anything that's worthwhile - they never do.
People have different views of how you deal with different issues in literature, and, frankly, long may it last that there is a range of views.
I try to not listen to all the girls I admire musically - like Nina Simone - just so I don't find myself imitating them, even if it's subconsciously.
The law, in our case, seems to make the right; and the very reverse ought to be done - the right should make the law.
When a man meets a woman who seems too perfect, too sweet, or too agreeable, he tends to become bored very quickly.
I came to write after several mini careers. I did live theatre, managed a cosmetics store and was a local television personality.
To me, NASA is kind of the magical kingdom. I was sort of a geek, and you go there, and there are just these wondrously strange things and people.
All the clothes in my closet are Oakland, California, clothes. You can't wear those anywhere else. The barometric pressure drops and then where are you?
Editors are more concerned with the first chapters of a book; that's what everyone reads first in the bookstore or in the online sample.
I'm one of those goobers who comes out of the polling place actually wearing the 'I VOTED' sticker on my jacket.
I talk to a lot of people who, when you try to sum them up in a couple of sentences, seem like they must be insane.
Bodily fluids and solids are universally the most disgusting things we as human beings can come upon, but as long as they are inside us, it's part of you.
When I'm done with a book, I always give it to someone with expertise in the topic and tell them to flag all of my stupid mistakes.
