Were there stories I wrote along the way that were terrible clinkers? God, yes. But they were all a product of their time, and I did the best I could.

I try to find what makes even the worst, most despicable character sympathetic at his or her core.

A true friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else.

A writer writes. Period. No matter if someone is buying your work or not.

If a story isn't working, I'm simply unable to finish it. That's what usually tells me something is wrong.

I've never had to work out of the arts. I've always either been a writer or an editor, or something where I've made my living from doing what I love. You can't get any better than that.

It's all about who's where on the food chain. When I'm the story editor, I expect my writers to follow my vision. When I'm working for another editor, I'm obliged to follow their vision.