I started writing as soon as I started reading.

We understand tornadoes scientifically, but it still feels supernatural. The randomness makes it feel supernatural.

You have only so many chances to tell stories. I didn't want to be forever wedded to one form of storytelling when there are so many out there.

What I love is the writing, it's not having written. I like the process of it.

I think pressure can be an incentive toward improvement, and while I'm not denying that I feel some, I will also stress that it is self-inflicted and hopefully can be channeled in a healthy way.

You should be writing for the love of the story, and when it comes time to return to the manuscript, everything else belongs behind a closed door.

I think anyone who writes suspense fiction and says that King isn't an influence is either lying or being foolish.

Band of Skulls is joining Cage the Elephant as my new musical caffeine.

Horror and supernatural novels give you a lot of what you look for in a crime novel, just with a twist that was very fresh for me as a reader.

He stood at the edge of town feeling very small, powerless. Night in the mountains could do that to you, reminding you of your place in the world and laughing at any sense of self-importance.

Complements from your companion will do you no good, but if you get complements from your competitors it means you are really doing good.

Music is my life, if I am without music or if I can't sing any more, I die, I'm nothing... because music is everything.

We're not meant to be perfect. It took me a long time to learn that.

Courage and initiative come when you understand your purpose in life.

I never intended for the Monster Ball to be a religious experience, it just became one.

I really have to force myself to tidy up around the house.

You can only maintain an immensely gothic attitude for so long before either killing yourself or beginning to feel like a poser.

One finds many companions for food and drink, but in a serious business a man's companions are very few.

But people ought to be proud to be Democrats right now. You know, we're a happy warrior party. And this Congress has every reason to be very, very proud of the heavy lifting that they have done.

The key to being a warrior is not to be afraid of who you are.