Go all the way with it. Do not back off. For once, go all the goddamn way with what matters.

I always like it at a war. There is always the chance that you will get up the next morning and be killed and not have to write.

Try and write straight English; never using slang except in dialogue and then only when unavoidable. Because all slang goes sour in a short time. I only use swear words, for example, that have lasted at least a thousand years for fear of getting stuff that will be simply timely and then go sour.

Good writing is good conversation, only more so.

When you have a child, the world has a hostage.

We ate well and cheaply and drank well and cheaply and slept well and warm together and loved each other.

I had seen nothing sacred, and the things that were glorious had no glory and the sacrifices were like the stockyards at Chicago if nothing was done with the meat except to bury it.