What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he's already been told twice.

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.

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.

Everyone has his own sound. I'm not going to presume how to tell anybody how to write.

Faith is to follow God.

Life is what you make it, taking chances based upon your intuition will give you the potential to live life to the full, bringing all your desires to life.

The reason why education is usually so poor among women of fashion is, that it is not needed for the life which they elect to lead.

I'm such a goody two-shoes, I've never stolen a single thing. I would not be able to handle it. I would not be able to live with the guilt of having stolen something.

It is one thing to read about the world, but quite another to see and hear for oneself.

I have to travel a lot, but relaxation to me is when I am at home.

If I've learned one thing in life, it's you can never go back.

Her singing always cheered him up. Life seemed so much brighter when she stopped.

Background for Humans

Each present joy or sorrow seems the chief.