If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it..

The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in..

I don't get in a position to be frightened. I don't do anything dangerous, and I always pay my bills..

Don't worry about what your mother thinks of your language..

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….

Using adverbs is a mortal sin..

It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does..

There's nothing like work to take your mind off your worries..

I spent most of my dough on booze, broads and boats and the rest I wasted..

I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even narrative passag….

I don't believe in writer's block or waiting for inspiration. If you're a writer, you sit down and write..

A man can be in two different places and he will be two different men. Maybe if you think of more places he will be more men, but two is enough for n….

I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, 'You got to have fun at this, or it'll drive you nuts.'.

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip..

My purpose is to entertain and please myself. I feel that if I am entertained, then there will be enough other readers who will be entertained, too..

I never see my bad guys as simply bad. They want pretty much the same thing that you and I want: they want to be happy..

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

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 di….

Not dreams but night changes, not destiny but path changes, always keep your hopes alive, luck may or may not change, but time definitely chages..

If work was a good thing, the rich would have it all and not let you do it..

There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees. And there ar….