I first tried a novel when I was 14. First finished one when I was 16. First started working on stuff that had a chance of being salable in my early 20s, then didn't write much fiction at all because I was in grad school.

You count snouts,” Straha said. “Whichever side can persuade most snouts to join it prevails. It does not have to be clever. It does not have to be wise. It only needs to be popular.

I'm a social caterpillar. I am not a social butterfly

A horsefly can't do a horse much real damage, but it can drive it wild anyhow.

Many things are possible. Few things are certain.

People you don't like are pigheaded. Your friends are stubborn, or hold to their purpose.

You can write better about a place you've seen for yourself. You don't have to have been there - I've sure written about places I've never seen - but it does help.