A friend of mine who is in the publishing business knew I was writing a book, and he said, 'Have you said anything yet about the good guy? Because I know you spend so much time with the bad guys.' Because they're fun. So then you have to make the good guy fun, in order to compete. That's the challenge.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

I don’t think writers compete, I think they’re all doing separate things in their own style.

At the time I begin writing a novel, the last thing I want to do is follow a plot outline. To know too much at the start takes the pleasure out of discovering what the book is about.

It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.

My most important piece of advice to all you would-be writers: when you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.

A man can be in two different places and he will be two different men. Maybe if you think of more places he will be more men, but two is enough for now.