Never use five words if you can get away with one, eh? I've known dead men talk more than you do.

Writing's a lot like cooking. Sometimes the cake won't rise, no matter what you do, and every now and again the cake tastes better than you ever could have dreamed it would.

We wrapped our dreams in words and patterned the words so that they would live forever, unforgettable.

Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found. Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped to help you in their turn. Trust dreams. Trust your heart, and trust your story. (from 'Instructions')

Recounting the strange is like telling one's dreams: one can communicate the events of a dream, but not the emotional content, the way that a dream can colour one's entire day.

Know that diamonds and roses are as uncomfortable when they tumble from one's lips as toads and frogs: colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

On the whole, stories don't write themselves.

I was not so old that I would deny my own senses.

If we do not fight to create a future there will be no future for any of us.

I believe we owe it to each other to tell stories. It's as close to a credo as I have or will, I suspect, ever get.

Because stories start in minds-- they aren't artifacts or natural phenomena.

Work your craft

Live and learn and pass it on.

You are charismatic. Men are drawn to you. I am drawn to you. And by your size, let alone your skill with weapons, they will be in awe of you.

When ambitious desires arise in thy heart, recall the days of extremity thou have passed through. Forbearance is the root of all quietness and assurance forever.

Hold firmly to your word.

For an apple you can't reach up and pick, you have to climb that tree; the tree won't bend down for you!

El Salvador has the scenery of northern California and the climate of southern California plus - and this was a relief - no Californians.

If you tax too high, the revenue will yield nothing.

I think that passion and love and pain are all bearable, and they go to make love beautiful.

Ah! fraudful malice! how shall wisdom's care Escape the poison of thy gilded snare!