In fact, one could argue that the skill of the fiction writer boils down to the ability to exploit intensity.

A writing teacher once told me that the most successful movies and books were simple plots about complex characters. You should be able to articulate your concept in a couple of lines.

If you can write each day, do it, and meet a quota. Minimum 350 words a day. A baboon can do 350 words a day. Don't be shown up by a baboon

Write like you're in love. Edit like you're in charge.

The semi-colon is a burp, a hiccup. It's a drunk staggering out of the saloon at 2 a.m., grabbing your lapels on the way and asking you to listen to one more story.

Every hour you spend writing is an hour you don't spend worrying about your writing.

Anyone living in Los Angeles who has opposable thumbs is required to write a screenplay.