"More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones" (St. Teresa of Avila, Preface.)

"'What did they expect?' [Capote] was quoted as saying. 'I'm a writer, and I use everything. Did all those people think I was there just to entertain them?'" (pg. xv.)

"I have met Unspoiled Monsters! Spoiled ones, too. But the UN-spoiled variety is the rara avis: white truffles compared to black; bitter wild asparagus as opposed to garden grown" (pg. 4.)

"I keep thinking that maybe, if I change most of the names, I could publish this as a novel. Hell, I've nothing to lose; of course, a couple of people might try to kill me, but I'd consider that a favor" (pg. 13.)

"I am one of those persons who, when sexually immersed, require serious silence, the hush of impeccable concentration...all the mechanics must be assisted by the deepest fantasizing, an...