When in doubt, shut up.

I'm one of the lucky writers: plots come easily to me

I love writing and do not know why it is considered such a difficult, agonizing profession. I love all of it, thinking up the plots, getting to know the kids in the story, their parents, backyards, pizza toppings.

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.

When in doubt, shut up.

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

I get letters from readers who say that they have always hated reading, but somebody suggested one of my books, they actually finished the book and enjoyed it, and they're going on to read another book. I'm thrilled that they have figured out that reading is fun