[Raymond] Chandler, I reread him, and there's a lot of bad writing there. I don't think he knew much about people.

You get up in the morning because you might meet a woman. And if you stay at home by yourself, alone, you will not meet a woman.

If I wanted to make money I would have written another novel.

Joe Wambaugh's a friend. I know him only casually, but I like him a lot. I think he likes my books.

I learn things late-and only the hard way.

Cats gotta scratch. Dogs gotta bite. I gotta write.

Periodically I just notch up. And everyone among my colleagues thinks that Perfidia - in its accessibility, its big throbbing heart - will be the biggest notch up yet. We'll see what happens. It's on my ass.