Critics themselves, they used to tear me up.

The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.

The most important part of a story is the ending. No one reads a book to get to the middle.

I'm actually a softie. Tough guys get killed too early... I've got a full head of hair and don't wear eyeglasses.

Inspiration is an empty bank account.

Mike Hammer drinks beer because I can't spell Cognac.

Nobody reads a book to get to the middle.

If the public likes you, you're good. Shakespeare was a common, down-to-earth writer in his day.

Those big-shot writers ... could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar.

I have no fans. You know what I got? Customers. And customers are your friends.

If I need something, I'll invent it.

Capitalism: Teach a man to fish, but the fish he catches aren't his. They belong to the person paying him to fish, and if he's lucky, he might get paid enough to buy a few fish for himself.

Being a traditionalist, I'm a rabid sucker for Christmas. In July, I'm already worried that there are only 146 shopping days left.

The leader of genius must have the ability to make different opponents appear as if they belonged to one category.

Bench me or trade me.

Of course it is extremely difficult to like oneself in a culture which thinks you are a disease.

Nuance doesn't get retweeted.

Someone once defined hard work as the accumulation of the easy things you didn't do when you should have.

I have always been the girl who keeps on trying. I try! I try!

It is good food and not fine words that keeps me alive.

You can't be a woman and not be a feminist, I don't think. If you care about the world and the world you exist in and your rights.