Everything a writer learns about the art or craft of fiction takes just a little away from his need or desire to write at all. In the end he knows all of the tricks and has nothing to say.

A good story cannot be devised; it has to be distilled.

In writing a novel$$$ when in doubt$$$ have two guys come through the door with guns.

The challenge is to write about real things magically.

There was a sad fellow over on a bar stool talking to the bartender$$$ who was polishing a glass and listening with that plastic smile people wear when they are trying not to scream.

The dilemma of the critic has always been that if he knows enough to speak with authority$$$ he knows too much to speak with detachment.

Fashion has two purposes: comfort and love. Beauty comes when fashion succeeds.

It was a smooth silvery voice that matched her hair. It had a tiny tinkle in it$$$ like bells in a doll's house. I thought that was silly as soon as I thought of it.

The most durable thing in writing is style. It is a projection of personality and you have to have a personality before you can project it. It is the product of emotion and perception.

The most durable thing in writing is style$$$ and style is the single most valuable investment a writer can make with his time.