I used the pen name because I knew I wanted to write better novels under my own name someday.
Nelson DeMilleThere are a lot of books about the passing of the English aristocracy, but the vast majority of Long Islanders don't understand their own backyard. It's a private preserve.
Nelson DeMilleBasically, all women are nurturers and healers, and all men are mental patients to varying degrees.
Nelson DeMilleEven the most radical Islamic terrorist would not want to see the revered holy city of Medina go up. It would be like losing the Vatican in Rome.
Nelson DeMilleThere are Mafia families that have bought magnificent houses on the North Shore, although not yet the great estates because they don't want that kind of high profile.
Nelson DeMilleAbsolutely breathtaking, nail-biting, and edge-of-your-seat. Michael Koryta is a master at maintaining suspense and a hell of a good writer. THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD is one of the best chase-and-escape novels youโll read this year-or any other year. The pace never lets up.
Nelson DeMilleโฆmade me promise to cut down on the drinking and swearing, which I have. Unfortunately, this has left me dim-witted and nearly speechless.
Nelson DeMilleI turned to the Times crossword puzzle and asked Kate, โWhatโs the definition of a moderate Arab?โ โI donโt know.โ โA guy who ran out of ammunition.
Nelson DeMilleThe world has gotten smaller and more accessible since I first started writing in the 70's.
Nelson DeMilleI was trained in Army Intelligence, but spent most of my army career in the infantry. But like many people of my generation, I was very much caught up in the Cold War, and books and movies about espionage.
Nelson DeMilleChemical and biological attacks are scary and will kill a lot of people but dont rise to the level of nuclear.
Nelson DeMilleWriting doesn't leave much time for hobbies, unless you consider that I began writing as a hobby and have made the hobby into a profession.
Nelson DeMilleLawrence Kelter is an exciting new novelist, who reminds me of an early Robert Ludlum.
Nelson DeMillePanic---a deep abiding, free-floating anxiety, often without any reason or logical basis.
Nelson DeMilleI do write my manuscripts by hand, in pencil on legal pads. Then they are typed on a word processor by my typist.
Nelson DeMilleI don't like mysteries, which is why I want to solve them. It bothers me that there are things I don't know.
Nelson DeMilleThe meaning of life has not much to do with good and evil, right and wrong, duty, honor, country, or any of that. It has to do with cutting the right deal.
Nelson DeMilleIf everyone howled at every injustice, every act of barbarism, every act of unkindness, then we would be taking the first step towards a real humanity.
Nelson DeMilleI try to end every chapter with an air of suspense. I try to leave the reader wanting to turn the page.
Nelson DeMilleI enjoy the presence of a woman in the house for brief periods of time. They fall into two categories: the organizers and the slobs. Thereโs probably a third categoryโthe naggers, who try to get you to do things, but Iโve never run into one of those. Oddly, I have no preference regarding oganizers or slobs, as long as they donโt try to pick my clothes for me. Basically, all women are nurturers and healers, and all men are mental patients to varying degrees. It works fine if people stick to their fated roles. But nobody does.
Nelson DeMilleMost of my books are about contemporary subjects, and the world changes so fast that I'm lucky when events haven't overtaken the book I'm writing at the moment.
Nelson DeMilleMrs. Corey still uses her maiden name for business, or when she wants to pretend she doesnโt know me.
Nelson DeMilleI like the process of pencil and paper as opposed to a machine. I think the writing is better when it's done in handwriting.
Nelson DeMilleI try to use short sentences, short paragraphs and short chapters to keep the reader's interest.
Nelson DeMilleKate had never been married, so she had no way of knowing if I was a normal husband. This has been good for our marriage.
Nelson DeMilleIt's much different today than it was during the Cold War. The CIA is not the subject of many books anymore. But that might change, because of international terrorism and Red China.
Nelson DeMilleYou have to go out of your way as a suspense novelist to find situations where the protagonists are somewhat helpless and in real danger.
Nelson DeMilleI sometimes use some personality traits to fashion part of a character. Most of my characters are composites of either people I know or people in the public eye.
Nelson DeMille