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.

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

My characters have to talk, or they're out. They audition in early scenes. If they can't talk, they're given less to do, or thrown out.

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

What do you tell a man with two black eyes? Nothing, he's already been told twice.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

To me, writing is the most fun. It's not always fun, but finally when you make it come out the way you want, it's then you can say, 'It's fun, boy.'