Revenge is a really narrow scope through which to view things. In the same way secrets do, it has this ability to warp everything. But secrets are more inward, and revenge is outward.

In fact, one could argue that the skill of the fiction writer boils down to the ability to exploit intensity.

Structure is translation software for your imagination.

Every hour you spend writing is an hour you don't spend worrying about your writing.

Status, worry and comparison are ways to madness, not victory.

Superb historical romance, with a spiritual theme woven seamlessly throughout. I much enjoyed The Covered Deep and look forward to more from its author!

Think of it as the Doorway of No Return. The feeling must be that your lead character, once she passes through, cannot go home again until the major problem of the plot is solved.

Write like you're in love. Edit like you're in charge.

A writing teacher once told me that the most successful movies and books were simple plots about complex characters. You should be able to articulate your concept in a couple of lines.

There's a perilous word fiction writers need to watch out for. The word is 'had.'

The semi-colon is a burp, a hiccup. It's a drunk staggering out of the saloon at 2 a.m., grabbing your lapels on the way and asking you to listen to one more story.

The best couples share the load, divide the grief, and add to the peace, thereby multiplying joy.

Decide in your heart to be at peace with all men.

Folks who talk about no violence are always the ones who are first to call a policeman and usually they are sure there is one handy.

Funny is only something that others know about you - you can't be funny by yourself.

Because my life was changed by God's Word, I love every organization that helps people know him through his Word.

I sing the songs that people need to hear.

Love, why have you sought the horde of spearsmen, why the tent Achilles pitched beside the river-ford?

My mom makes the best Cajun stuff. I'm a big gumbo guy. I've lost a lot of my Louisiana accent, so now when I say 'gumbo,' I feel like someone who's never said the word before.

Genetics is about how information is stored and transmitted between generations.

Extreme poverty anywhere is a threat to human security everywhere.