I'm very much aware in the writing of dialogue, or even in the narrative too, of a rhythm. There has to be a rhythm with it … Interviewers have said, you like jazz, don’t you? Because we can hear it in your writing. And I thought that was a compliment.

The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.

I always felt, you don’t have a good time doin crime, you may as well find a job.

Using adverbs is a mortal sin.

My characters have to talk, or they're out. They audition in early scenes. If they can't talk, they're given less to do, or thrown out.

Avoid prologues: they can be ­annoying, especially a prologue ­following an introduction that comes after a foreword.

Never use the words 'suddenly' or 'all hell broke loose.'