“When you're speaking to HR, no matter how friendly they may seem, you're still speaking to an agent of the corporation, with all that this implies. The very fact that you've chosen to give the information to an agent of the company means the information belongs to the company.”

“He seems relieved to hear me say that. I guess idiots love company.”

“A writer with her work needs to be like a dog with a bone all the time. She needs to know where she's hidden it. Where she's stored the good stuff. She needs to keep gnawing at it, even after all the meat seems to be gone. When a student of mine says (okay, whines) that she's impatient, or tired, or the worst: isn't it good enough? this may be harsh, but she loses just a little bit of my respect. Because there is no room for impatience, or exhaustion, or self-satisfaction, or laziness. All of these really mean, simply, that the inner censor has won the day.”

“I don't know you. I'll give you that very easily. I DON'T know you. I only know things about you, the colour of your hair, the shape of your shoulders, the pools of brown eye, very seductive. I know your temperament. I know some of your expressions. I have a collection of words written by you. You share a few ideas. You use too many adjectives. But I don't know anything about who, exactly, you are, in fact.”

“But now...it's like when part of you stops hurting and suddenly you're yourself again, healthy and whole, and only then do you understand that you've been in pain for a while.”

“I didn't figure things out, either, you know. So if you'e an idiot, I guess that makes two of us."He seems relieved to hear me say that. I guess idiots love company.”

“I am amazed at how being with him changes everything for me, socially speaking.”