Very early on in life, I decided the hell with it: material things weren't for me. Christmas would come, and other kids would have all these presents, and it wouldn't bother me a bit.

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.

Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries.

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today because if you enjoy it today, you can do it again tomorrow.

The really great writers are people like Emily Brontë who sit in a room and write out of their limited experience and unlimited imagination.

Scientists dream about doing great things. Engineers do them.

I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home.

If your book doesn't keep you up nights when you are writing it, it won't keep anyone up nights reading it.

An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.

The land, that thou see now to have root, shall thou see wasted suddenly.

Nothing we do makes us real. That which is real makes us do.

I grew up around the Luxembourg Gardens, so I guess that is my best memory.

those who use the word 'lifestyle' are rarely in possession of either.

I don't know how much you know about Zen, but you'll know less when I'm done with you.

You have to live among rich liberals to understand what they're saying. You'll never believe what they mean by 'middle class.' They mean themselves.

We will not be derailed by criminal anarchists who legitimately claim a religious cause.

That's what happens when it snows in Texas lady. It. Freaking. Melts.

Illiterates have to dictate.

Wikipedia, eh? Must be accurate then.