One must be just a little crazy to write a great novel. One must be capable of allowing the darkest, most ancient and shrewd parts of one’s being to take over the work from time to time.

A common and usually unfortunate answer is “Write about what you know.” Nothing can be more limiting to the imagination, nothing is quicker to turn on the psyche's censoring devices and distortion systems, than trying to write truthfully.

Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat. It helps, if you have a plan and a course laid out.

One must be just a little crazy to write a great novel. One must be capable of allowing the darkest, most ancient and shrewd parts of one’s being to take over the work from time to time.

As a rule of thumb I say, if Socrates, Jesus and Tolstoy wouldn't do it, don't.

The primary subject of fiction is and has always been human emotion, values, and beliefs.

The image-managers encourage the individual to fashion himself into a smooth coin, negotiable in any market.