Avoid prologues: they can be ­annoying, especially a prologue ­following an introduction that comes after a foreword.

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.

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

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.

And he calls it playing? Like, whatever happened to chess? Or cards? Or tag?

Expansion (both far and wide) is the order of the day

Most of the women in film are there to be beautiful to the man.

Running on different types of racetracks is challenging - not only for the drivers, but even more for the team members who have to make adjustments to the cars before each race.

To be universally liked is to be relatively ignored.

I don't think we can rule out a wave, I think a Democratic takeover is possible but not probable.

Stop looking for permission to pursue your dreams! They are YOUR dreams and you don't need a co-signer to chase them!

On connecting: Where does one person end and another person begin?

I've been to paradise. But I've never been to me.