I say that is wine," Brett held up her glass. "We ought to toast something. 'Here's to royalty.'" "This wine is too good for toast-drinking, my dear. you don't want to mix emotions up with a wine like that. you lose the taste." Brett's glass was empty.

Never write about a place until you're away from it, because that gives you perspective

Decadence is a difficult word to use since it has become little more than a term of abuse applied by critics to anything they do not yet understand or which seems to differ from their moral concepts.

The writer's job is not to judge, but to seek to understand.

He was just a coward and that was the worst luck any many could have.

There are worse places to be than on your own.

Writing is a hard business...but nothing makes you feel better.