Annie Dillard

The writer studies literature, not the world.

When I teach, I preach. I thump the Bible. I exhort my students morally. I talk to them about the dedicated life.

A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.

We played in Texas about a year ago, at Emo's, the famous country and western club in Austin. And I figured, well, if I'm finally gonna die onstage, that's where it's going to be!

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I'd date someone younger or older; age doesn't matter to me. Or looks, really - it's all about maturity.