The most unrealistic thing I've ever read in comics is when some group of characters calls themselves the Brotherhood of Evil or the Masters of Evil. I don't believe any character believes their goals to be truly evil.

In general, shorter is better. If you can encapsulate your idea into a single captivating sentence, you're halfway home.

In these litigious times, if you're a beginner, it's becoming harder and harder to get your work to the people who might actually be able to hire you.

I've never sat down and thought about the difference between plot and theme. To me, that's never been important.

I try not to violate what came before me and to leave lots of wiggle room for those who will follow.

Lord of the Rings, I think, is far and away the most brilliantly done stuff.

You can read a dozen different textbooks or how-to manuals that will tell you the basic rules of what makes a story - a beginning, a middle, and an end.