I think the secret to success is a short-term outlook. So for example, I'm writing the next Killing book now and I have to just make every chapter compelling, so I can't get too far ahead of it. I just stay in the present and then go over what I have to do.

I've done more for the 9/11 families, by their own admission, I've done more for them than you will ever hope to do so you keep your mouth shut.

The Internet has become a hate-filled town square with no limits put on destructive verbal behavior.

And the voters, many of them, feel that the economic system is stacked against them and they want stuff. You are going to see a tremendous Hispanic vote for President Obama. Overwhelming black vote for President Obama. And women will probably break President Obamas way. People feel that they are entitled to things and which candidate, between the two, is going to give them things?

Get punctual, bring energy and creativity to your work, and stay with a project until it's completed (and then double-check the results). These habits will make you indispensable.

You know what's really frightening? You (Jon Stewart) actually have an influence on this presidential election. That is scary, but it's true. You've got stoned slackers watching your dopey show every night and they can vote.

When I tell children that they are far too dependent on their gizmos, they do not deny it. But they really don't care. This is their real life - texting about trivial things; listening to numbing music on their private headphones. The machines block everything out - you create your own little trivial world.