I always felt, you don’t have a good time doin crime, you may as well find a job.

I spent most of my dough on booze, broads and boats and the rest I wasted.

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: When you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.

What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he's already been told twice.

It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.

Using adverbs is a mortal sin.

At the time I begin writing a novel, the last thing I want to do is follow a plot outline. To know too much at the start takes the pleasure out of discovering what the book is about.

Try not to write the parts that people skip.

All the information you need can be given in dialogue.

Sometimes the purpose of the rose is simply to draw attention to the rose.

If nightmares can come true, and sometimes they do... then so can our happiest dreams.

No one tape her deepest gifts through shame, guilt or anger. In fact, if you come from obligation, others smell the sadness in your blood and they will run the other way,

I rememberThat I have fallenAmidst the laughterThat surrounds me, and that sometimesIt gets too loud.

When I look in the glass I see that every line in my face means pessimism but in spite of my face - that is my experience - I remain an optimist.

Nothing has changed but my attitude, therefore, everything has changed.

What's funny is my husband doesn't have any tattoos at all, so he must be the very conservative one.

He that talkes much of his happinesse summons griefe.

The choices we've made throughout our lives affect whatever happens to us in any given moment.