I kept careful record of the impact of religion on the election in my county. The religious issue permeated every meeting I conducted. It influenced Republicans and Democrats alike. Ministers preached politics publicly and churches distributed the most vicious electioneering materials. Practically no one I met escaped the pressure of this overriding problem and both parties were ultimately forced to make their major calculations with the religious question a foremost consideration.

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

I was surprised when shortly after New Year's Day of 1983, the Governor of Texas summoned me to his office, because I hadn't been aware that he knew I was in town.

I've spent my life trying to be better than I was, and I am a brother to all who share the same aspiration.

I love writing. I love the swirl and swing of words as they tangle with human emotions.

Many people who want to be writers don't really want to be writers. They want to have been writers. They wish they had a book in print.

If your book doesn't keep you up nights when you are writing it, it won't keep anyone up nights reading it.