YOU CAN'T TELL UNLESS YOU SHOW FIRST. ... Showing makes the telling more powerful because your senses and your mind are both engaged.

Never let reality get in the way of truth

Don't be afraid to write crap - it makes the best fertilizer. The more you write the better your chances of growing something wonderful.

What is the character trying to say? Why? Be as specific as you can, using sense images that evoke something about the character. Try using the character's senses, even if the character is you.

Songs are your best teachers. I try to learn something from every song I hear

I hereby grant you permission to write crap. The more the better. Remember, crap makes the best fertilizer.

If you were going to shoot a mime, would you use a silencer?

Fear can make you do more wrong than hate or jealousy... fear makes you always, always hold something back.

You guys should know we do [ cover Obamacare, and ISIS, and radical Islamic terrorism] because you watch CNN all day long.

It is with nations as with individuals, those who know the least of others think the highest of themselves; for the whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other.

I'm just dandy, I got a bowl of chocolate pudding in my underpants!

Tears are okay [Morrie Schwartz]

When you write for children and young adults, you have much more affect and influence on them than when you write for adults. The books that get us through our childhood stay with us for life.

Just because you've been on stage doesn't mean you can dance.

I find writing songs hard, because it does not come naturally to me. I never set out to be a songwriter or a singer.

I'd like to make time slow down.