People nearly always believe, and are willing to back it up with weapons and cruelty, that their religion and way of life is better than the other person's

My favorite book is always the one I'm working on at the moment

If you write a story based on a real person, you're trapped by the details of the real person and his life. It gets in the way of writing your own story.

Guys with nice person names try to be sympathetic.

in Los Angeles ... was the thinking-est crowd on earth: how to get ahead, how to mold a better body, how to have a better relationship, how to score, earn, fight, win, get published, be a star.

When in doubt, shut up.

I'll take you to Mickey D's," said Sean. "I'll buy you a hamburger." Annie was not thrilled. Sean's offer did not compare to offers made in other centuries. "And fries," Sean said. "And a vanilla milkshake." Annie remained unthrilled. "Okay, okay. You can have a Big Mac." Romance in my century, she thought, is pitiful.