As it was, things went from bad to worse, as they often will when amateurs are involved in an activity that they perform in bad temper – or in a hurry.

when however small a measure of jealousy is mixed with misunderstanding, there is always going to be trouble.

Never confuse faith, or belief — of any kind — with something even remotely intellectual.

Being afraid you'll look like a coward is the worst reason for doing anything.

We are formed by what we desire

I have a process that I seem to always, to some degree, as a writer, adhere to, but I certainly have never imposed the way I write a novel on my students. When I had students, I never said, "You should never start writing a novel until you have the last sentence." I never did that, and I wouldn't do it now, but people now seem so interested in the process [of writing fiction] that I have to constantly make it clear when I describe mine that I'm not being prescriptive. I'm not proselytizing.

Children are most impressed with the importance of a moment when they witness a parent breaking the parents' own rule.