Park your ego and listen to your readers. They can be your best friend or your worst enemy. But chances are you'll learn something from them.

People who say you can't do something should be ignored. They're probably talking to themselves.

I'd be lying if I said killing off characters wasn't therapeutic in some way.

Writing is easy. Writing a publishable book is hard.

If you aren't willing to put your best work out there, write for yourself. Don't ever publish.

Writing is lonely. Until that moment you write your first character and suddenly you have company.

It does not manifest so that you can believe in it. You believe in it so that it can manifest.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

For Anne and our cub, for making me and my life less beastly

If you are giving a graduate course you don't try to impress the students with oratory, you try to challenge them, get them to question you.

The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed.

As we embrace the American dream and the freedoms it represents, we must also ensure that those who wish to enjoy those freedoms become a part of our society and learn to speak our language.

God ever geometrizes.

I like to live life in an understated way because that's who I am - an ordinary guy who has experienced an extraordinary journey.

I'm not a Jesus freak, I'm not a satan worshipper. I'm a contradiction, a juxtaposition.

Do you depend on others for motivation - or can you motivate yourself?