Never open a book with weather. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways to describe ice and snow than an Eskimo, you can do all the weather reporting you want.

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

I don't have any of the modern stuff. I don't have e-mail. I don't have a computer!

It's my attempt to remain invisible, not distract the reader from the story with obvious writing.

I try to leave out the parts readers skip.

There's nothing like work to take your mind off your worries.

I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, 'You got to have fun at this, or it'll drive you nuts.'