Sometimes I can better describe a person by another person's reaction. In a story in my first book, I couldn't think of a way to sufficiently describ…

- Amy Hempel

I do feel that if you can write one good sentence and then another good sentence and then another, you end up with a good story.

- Amy Hempel

We can only die in the future, I thought; right now we are always alive.

- Amy Hempel

For peace of mind, I will lie about any thing at any time.

- Amy Hempel

I think of the chimp, the one with the talking hands. In the course of the experiment, that chimp had a baby. Imagine how her trainers must have thri…

- Amy Hempel

Good leaders being scarce, following yourself is allowed.

- Amy Hempel

They say the smart dog obeys but the smarter dog knows when to disobey.

- Amy Hempel

An idea might spark an essay, but never a story.

- Amy Hempel

I get rational when I panic.

- Amy Hempel