Understanding motivation is one of the most important things we can do in our lives, because it has such a bearing on why we do the things we do and whether we enjoy them or not.

There's this really awesome theory of human motivation - that human beings all want three things. One is to be competent, one is to belong, and one is be free, as in to have choice: to not be told what to do but to choose what to do.

The more we do, the more we can do.

As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.

Now he knew why he loved her so. Without ever leaving the ground, she could fly. 'There must be another one like you,' he whispered to her. 'There's got to be at least one more woman like you.

She became, and her process of becoming was like most of ours: she developed a hatred for things that mystified or obstructed her; acquired virtues that were easy to maintain; assigned herself a role in the scheme of things; and harked back to simpler times for gratification.

You have pissed your last in this house . . . and I don't make velvet roses anymore.

I can say that my narrative project is as difficult today as it was then.

Other people went crazy, why couldn't she? Other people's brains stopped, turned around and went on to something new...

You don't have any weaknesses?' 'I haven't found any.

I don't wait to be struck by lightning and don't need certain slants of light in order to write.

Don't wait until you become a big shot to do big-shot