Creative geniuses are a slap-happy lot. Treat Them with respect.

Religious hatreds ought not to be propagated at all, but certainly not on a tax-exempt basis.

I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.

I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.

Never forget, son, when you represent Texas, always go first class.

First buy a cowboy hat and boots. Then you're on your way to being a Texan.

Being goal-oriented instead of self-oriented is crucial. I know so many people who want to be writers. But let me tell you, they really don't want to be writers. They want to have been writers. They wish they had a book in print. They don't want to go through the work of getting the damn book out. There is a huge difference.