I don't get in a position to be frightened. I don't do anything dangerous, and I always pay my bills.

I don't get in a position to be frightened. I don't do anything dangerous, and I always pay my bills.

There are cities that get by on their good looks, offer climate and scenery, views of mountains or oceans, rockbound or with palm trees. And there are cities like Detroit that have to work for a living.

All the information you need can be given in dialogue.

If you take a few days to write an outline, you're just making up scenes that you think will work, that you think will be interesting. But as you write it, other ideas occur - better ideas that have to do with what you're writing.

Skip the boring parts.

I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even narrative passages take on the character's sound. I don't want the reader to be aware of me, writing.