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

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.

I get letters. I get several a week, I think. A lot of people want a picture, a lot of people just want an autograph.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it. Or, if proper usage gets in the way, it may have to go. I can't allow what we learned in English composition to disrupt the sound and rhythm of the narrative.

Never open a book with weather. There are exceptions. If you happen to be Barry Lopez, who has more ways to describe ice and snow than an Eskimo, you can do all the weather reporting you want.

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

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.