What makes a story is how well it manages to connect with the reader, the visceral effect it has.

A true friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else.

Art is always in the eyes of the beholder. Only posterity has the right to point out our mistakes.

When I'm my own editor, there's very little difference between the first draft and the final. I write what feels right to begin with. I rarely make any major changes.

It all depends on which side of the desk you're sitting on.

I always wanted to fire rays out of my fingertips.

I think jazz and comic books are probably the two uniquely American art forms.

In general, shorter is better. If you can encapsulate your idea into a single captivating sentence, you're halfway home.

A writer writes. Period. No matter if someone is buying your work or not.

Unfortunately, there are writers whose only concern is how good they could make themselves look on a title.

I realized the only thing I owed my audience was my own judgment and my own best effort.

The most basic task of any museum must be the protection of works of cultural significance entrusted to its care for the edification and pleasure of future generations.

The ability to see our lives as stories rather than unrelated, random events increases the possibility for significant and purposeful action.

[Martin Luther] King was one of the two young ministers - and you know how directly oriented the Negro community still is towards the minister as the leader.

Milk every moment for all the pleasure you can get from it.

Carols of gladness ring from every tree.

I have a confession: I'm not a man of simplicity. I spent my entire early career making complex stuff. Lots of complex stuff.

Each day I lacerated myself thinking on her, but I didn't go back.

A combination of all that was best in the gladdest days of the departing year.

When you put down the good things you ought to have done, and leave out the bad ones you did do well, that's Memoirs.

It's a give and take relationship with my fans. They give me love and adoration, and I take it from them.