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.

Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue... I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she asseverated" and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.

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.

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

I don't believe in writer's block or waiting for inspiration. If you're a writer, you sit down and write.

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.

I get letters. I get several a week, I think. A lot of people want a picture, a lot of people just want an autograph.