I've lost track of the number of people who want to be writers but never actually write anything. Talking about writing, dreaming about writing, can be very fun, but it won't get a book written. You've got to write

He'd kill you all right. No sweat. But for the wrong reasons. Amateur's reasons. Of course, you'll be just as dead.

Zerbrowski said, "Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try." It took me a second to realize that he had just quoted Star Wars to me. It made me smile, and in that moment I loved him, just for that.

By 17, I was submitting to publications and collecting my first rejection slips.

I wasn't like most girls.

I sipped my own coffee, heavy on the sugar and cream, trying to make up for the late work the night before. Caffeine and sugar, the two basic food groups.

You awful hard to kill, Anita.' 'There's a first time, Luther, and that's all it takes.