I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

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.

The particulars of life do not matter to the artist

My marriage is incredibly important to me. It's the place from which I engage in the world every day, and the place to which I return every day.

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

A big mistake people make when they are trying to lose weight is that they stop eating. They'll eat salads once a day and then their body starts trying to protect itself and holds onto the fat.

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.

We are stubborn on vision. We are flexible on details.

The issue isn't just jobs. Even slaves had jobs. The issue is wages.

It would be the height of absurdity to label ignorance tempered by humility "faith"! (Institutio III.2.3)

All extremes does perfect reason flee, And wishes to be wise quite soberly.

No one really buys records anymore. You can look at sales and do that math real quick. Unfortunately, it's fast food in the music industry. People don't ingest full records anymore.