I wrote the original Mike Hammer as a comic, Mike Danger.

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.

Do what is right. Not what you like.

There's an appeal to the American sense of exceptionalism, that we're morally superior, as way to not be self-critical. I think that's a bit dangerous.

Nothing was to be lost by beginning at the beginning.

Honeymoon: A short period of doting between dating and debting.

My career was always full of risks one way or another, and that's the way I like it.

I had to brainwash myself, like what I was doing was going to be really, really good, and then just accept whatever happened.

People hear that I am a horror writer and they think that I must be a monster, but actually I have the heart of a small child - I keep it in a jar on my desk.

I am that by which I know 'I am'

No matter what I do, I'm hurting someone." - Katniss Everdeen