What we know about writing the novel is the novel.

Look for where the sky is brightest along the horizon. That reflects the nearest river. Strike out for a river and you will find habitation.

The mystery lies in the use of language to express human life.

[William Eggleston] sets forth what makes up our ordinary world. What is there, however strange, can be accepted without question; familiarity will be what overwhelms us.

No blur of inexactness, no cloud of vagueness, is allowable in good writing; from the first seeing to the last putting down, there must be steady lucidity and uncompromise of purpose.

Beware of a man with manners.

Ah, I'm a woman that's been clear around the world in my rocking chair, and I tell you we all get surprises now and then.