When I was 16 I started publishing all kinds of things in school magazines. My main feedback came from my English teacher, Miss Bessie B. Billings, who said, 'I can't understand this at all, dear, so it must be good.

There is good and mediocre writing within every genre.

Better not to invent her in her absence. Better to wait until she's actually here. Then he can make her up as she goes along.

Write down the thoughts and even more, write down a specific line. If you don't, it'll fly away forever.

The truly fearless think of themselves as normal.

If I am good enough and quiet enough, perhaps after all they will let me go; but it’s not easy being quiet and good, it’s like hanging on to the edge of a bridge when you’ve already fallen over; you don’t seem to be moving, just dangling there, and yet it is taking all your strength.

He was deciding whether to cut her throat or love her forever.