“I am simply of the opinion that you cannot be taught to write. You have to spend a lifetime in love with words.”

“People spend whole lifetimes seeking that which they already have. They have it, because they are it. All you have to do to have love is to be love. You are beloved. Each of you. All of you.”

“I am telling you what I know—words have music and if you are a musician you will write to hear them.”

“Love. Fall in love and stay in love. Write only what you love, and love what you write. The word is love. You have to get up in the morning and write something you love, something to live for.”

“You could spend a lifetime reading in here.”

“I am sorry to tell you that I am getting very extravagant, and spending all my money, and, what is worse for you, I have been spending yours too.”

“I would rather spend one lifetime with you, than face all the ages of this world alone.”

“You know that I write slowly. This is chiefly because I am never satisfied until I have said as much as possible in a few words, and writing briefly takes far more time than writing at length.”

“I want to love you simply, in words not spoken: tinder to the flame which transforms it to ash
I want to love you simply, in signs not expressed: clouds to the rain which make them evanescent (Aku Ingin-I Want)”

“Writing a novel is not very difficult: you simply write ten pages a day for a month and then you have a novel.”