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.

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.

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

A pen connects you to the paper. It definitely matters.

I do have fun writing, and a long time ago, I told myself, 'You got to have fun at this, or it'll drive you nuts.'

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

I left advertising as fast as I could in 1961. And I haven't ever thought about going back.