Where I am they can smell out a hurricane. My house survived Hurricane Hazel, but it didn't get past Hugo.

The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.

The most important part of a story is the ending. No one reads a book to get to the middle.

I'm actually a softie. Tough guys get killed too early... I've got a full head of hair and don't wear eyeglasses.

Inspiration is an empty bank account.

Mike Hammer drinks beer because I can't spell Cognac.

Nobody reads a book to get to the middle.

If the public likes you, you're good. Shakespeare was a common, down-to-earth writer in his day.

Those big-shot writers ... could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar.

I have no fans. You know what I got? Customers. And customers are your friends.

If I need something, I'll invent it.

Nature is to zoos as God is to churches.

Make your writing memorable.

The soul is the form of the body

I try very hard to handle things equally: ideas, materials, and images.

You walk on water, and complain that you can't find anything to drink!

You cannot be healthy; you cannot be happy; you cannot be prosperous; if you have a bad disposition.

I never really knew I wanted to 'be' a writer, but I was always writing from a very young age. It became more conscious as an ideal when I was in my twenties.

The deepest hunger of [a child's] human heart is to be understood, for understanding implicitly affirms, validates, recognizes and appreciates the intrinsic worth of another.

So much work went into this book [ "The Thorn & The Blossom"] - you can probably tell from looking at the art and overall design.