There is nothing special in the world. nothing magic. just physics.

Alternating the thoughtful task of writing with the mindless work of laundry or dish washing will give you the breaks you need for new ideas and insights to occur. If you don't know what comes next in the story... clean your toilet. Change the bed sheets. For Christ sakes, dust the computer. A better idea will come.

A writer’s job is to cultivate what can go wrong.

The best way to waste your life, is by taking notes. The easiest way to avoid living is to just watch. Look for the details. Report. Don't participate.

The problem with every story is you tell it after the fact.

You can't be beautiful," Brandy says about a thousand times, "until you feel beautiful.

If death meant just leaving the stage long enough to change costume and come back as a new character, would you slow down? Or speed up?