It is a sign of maturity... to find explanations in charity.

So many people can now write competent stories that the short story is in danger of dying of competence.

Manners are of such great consequence to the novelist that any kind will do. Bad manners are better than no manners at all, and because we are losing our customary manners, we are probably overly conscious of them; this seems to be a condition that produces writers.

Woman! Do you ever look inside? Do you ever look inside and see what you are not? God!

She felt that she would have to be much more than just a doctor or an engineer. She would have to be a saint.

The novelist is required to open his eyes on the world around him and look. If what he sees is not highly edifying, he is still required to look. Then he is required to reproduce, with words, what he sees.

It's easier to bleed than sweat, Mr. Motes.