Never use an adverb to modify the verb 'said' . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange.

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

It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to sound like it does.

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

The line of dialogue belongs to the character; the verb is the writer sticking his nose in.

I used to be able to write five pages a day, every day, no problem. Now a good day is five or four pages, and that's from 9:30 A.M. until 6 P.M.

I never see my bad guys as simply bad. They want pretty much the same thing that you and I want: they want to be happy.