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

After 58 years you'd think writing would get easier. It doesn't. If you're lucky, you become harder to please. That's all right, it's still a pleasure.

Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.

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.

All the information you need can be given in dialogue.

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.