I learned to keep at a certain distance from things - and to make myself a little bit invisible while I observed and understood them.

I can always, quite easily, put myself in other people's shoes, so to speak, and look at the world through them.

I like reading the world through a writer's eyes, rather than seeing a writer looking at him or herself as if at the center of gravity of the world around them.

Writers tend to think they occupy a much more relevant place in society than we actually do. But we really are closer to buffoons and jesters than we are to whistle-blowers or moral guides. Accepting our rather insignificant place in society can be depressing - but it's also freeing.