That's what's so great about my job. I get paid to do what got me in trouble in grade school space out and play with my imaginary friends. In terms of Isaac, when the time's right. Votes: 11
-a Jew had to have two synagogues. One that he went to, one that he rejected.The Butcher's Theater Votes: 10
40 Words for Sorrow is brilliant-one of the finest crime novels I've ever read. Giles Blunt writes with uncommon grace, style and compassion and he plots like a demon. This book has it all-unforgettable characters, beautiful language, throat-constricting suspense. Votes: 7
I don't practice, but I am still officially in paediatrics. I keep in touch with journals, and I have a very good data bank of medical information and there is a key thing for a writer knowing where to go. I know where to go to get the information that I need. Votes: 6
Each novel is harder than its predecessor because I must work harder at not repeating myself. However, I enjoy the challenge. This is the greatest job in the world. Votes: 6
The characters emerge from my rather twisted mind. That's another enjoyable part of the job making stuff up. Votes: 6
Time spent researching varies from book to book. Some novels require months, even years of research, others very little. I try to do most of my research before I begin but inevitably questions emerge during the writing. Votes: 5
To trust someone is to take the greatest risk of all. (180) Votes: 5
These people are real to me, and situations keep coming up where their emergence feels natural. It's like meeting old friends. I hope readers feel the same way. Votes: 5
It didn't feel difficult at the time because I was so charged up about both books. Afterward, however, I was pretty tired. In a good way, like after a great workout. Votes: 5
Life is like a prism. What you see depends on how you turn the glass. Votes: 4
The key to this collaboration - which we undertook after much deliberation - was to stretch creatively. New characters, new locales, new form (the novella). Votes: 4
Optimism is denial for chumps with no life experience". "What's pessimism?" I said. "Religion without God. Votes: 3
Therapist's dilemma: those who need help the most, run the farthest from it. Votes: 3
Just because others have it worse doesn't mean you have to suffer in silence. Votes: 3
Without sounding pompous, I really do feel that I have a set of standards that I must adhere to, even leaving aside considerations of what the readers expect. Votes: 2
The stress of grad school can drive anyone temporarily mad. Votes: 2
I would never have been a novelist without working as a psychologist...it was a great education in human nature. Votes: 2
I'd long thought that a surfeit of sensitivity could be a killing thing, too much insight malignant in its own right. The best survivors--there are studies that show it--are those blessed with an inordinate ability to deny. And keep on marching. Votes: 1
The science of psychotherapy is knowing what to say, the art is knowing when to say it. (36) Votes: 1
His experience and training should have taught him that families are the cauldrons in which violence is brewed. (144) Votes: 1
All of us are like locks. No matter how strong the bolt, there's always a key out there that opens it. Votes: 0
I spent the first few years of my life in a smallish community in Queens. Back in those early days, kids could roam the streets with relatively little supervision and one place I visited frequently was the local library. This particular branch was little more than a storefront but to me it was an alternative universe where I could explore my interests and receive kind, informative answers to my questions from the wonderful librarians. Votes: 0
Whatever fame a novelist my attain, it's always kind of an anonymous one. I can go anywhere, and no one knows who I am.... Votes: 0
At first, when a child meets something that scares him, the fear grows, like a wave. But when he goes into the water and swims - gets used to the water - the wave grows small. If we pull the child away when the wave is high, he never sees that, never learns how to swim and remains afraid. If he gets a chance to feel strong, in control, that's called coping. When he copes, he feels better. Votes: 0
Government is like junior high. Your status depends upon whom you're able to persecute. Votes: 0