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

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.'

I want the reader to know what's going on. So there's never a mystery in my books.

I don't want the reader to be aware of me as the writer.

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

After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still a pleasure.

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