No writer should minimize the factor that affects everyone, but is beyond control: luck.

The pain comes from knowing that we have never been safe, and therefore will never be safe again. It comes from knowing we can never be so ignorant again. It comes from knowing we can never be children again. Losing innocence. Remembering heaven. That was the essence of hell.

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.

We are all dying of life.

Going after anything worthwile in life entailed risk, of course. A man of ambition and courage didn't let that stop or delay him. A man accepted the dangers, the element of chance. If he didn't, he won nothing.

The first treasure California began to surrender after the Gold Rush as the oldest: her land.

No writer should minimize the factor that affects everyone, but is beyond control: luck.