The reader has certain rights. He bought your story. Think of this as an implicit contract. He's entitled to be entertained, instructed, amused; maybe all three. If he quits in the middle, or puts the book down feeling his time has been wasted, you're in violation.

In the world of words the imagination is one of the forces of nature.

There is a technical, literary term for those who mistake the opinions and beliefs of characters in a novel for those of the author. The term is 'idiot'.

The Unexpected always comes at the most awkward times.

Intelligence is just a tool to be used toward a goal, and goals are not always chosen intelligently.

It's very difficult for a black man to get out of South-Central Los Angeles, and get out civilized....The only men I know who have escaped, all began reading Robert Heinlein at age ten.

I never got good at predicting what millions of people will suddenly decide is rational.