To me, writing is the most fun. It's not always fun, but finally when you make it come out the way you want, it's then you can say, 'It's fun, boy.'

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.

By definition, though, we are family. And in difficult times-- times like these-- despite our differences, we stand together as family.

Day by day we are given not what we want but what we need. Sometimes it is a feast and sometimes...swept crumbs, but by faith we believe it is enough.

I was not proud of what I had learned but I never doubted that it was worth knowing.

Life's a wheel of fortune and y'all can't buy a vowel.

I suppose the difference between baby people and me is that I do not consider smiling while farting 'holding up your end of a conversation.

The only thing that anyone can diagnose, with any certainty, by looking at a fat person, is their own level of stereotype and prejudice toward fat people.

These days there's so much technology and ways you can learn. There are videos and CD roms.

Jonathan Edwards developed a Calvinistic strand of the doctrine.

I don't even know how to spell 'legacy!

I am one of those people who quite enjoys responsibility.