“I needed to talk about my real personal history, in order to become free of it.”

“When I talk about free indirect style I am really talking about point of view, and when I talk about point of view I am really talking about the perception of detail, and when I talk about detail I'm really talking about character, and when I talk about character I am really talking about the real, which is at the bottom of my inquiries.”

“In order to write the book you want to write, in the end you have to become the person you need to become to write that book.”

“The difference between gossip and history is if the person being talked about is alive or dead.Roy Carl Weiler Sr.”

“I used my history degree about twice a year whether I needed to or not.”

“Would you girls like a free measuring—”“Put the damn measuring tape away,” Vee ordered. “I already know my size. I don’t need reminding.”