I won't read a book that starts with a description of the weather. I don't read books over 300 pages, though I'll make an exception for Don Delillo.

Really, when I write a book I'm the only one I have to please. That's the beauty of writing a book instead of a screenplay.

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.

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

Never use a verb other than ‘said’ to carry dialogue.

These are rules I've picked up along the way to help me remain invisible when I'm writing a book, to help me show rather than tell what's taking place in the story.

Skip the boring parts.