When I am wicked I am in high spirits.

Make the short story tremendously succinct - with a very short pulse or rhythm - and the closest selection of detail - in other words summarise intensely and deeply and keep down the lateral development. It should be a little gem of bright, quick, vivid form

To live in the world of creation-to get into it and stay in it-to frequent it and haunt it...to think intently and fruitfully, to woo combinations and inspirations into being by a depth and continuity of attention and meditation-this is the only thing.

We care what happens to people only in proportion as we know what people are.

Always keep a window in the attic open; not just cracked: open.

The only reason for the existence of a novel is that it does attempt to represent life.

I've always expected the worst, and it's always worse than I expected.