My imagination functions much better when I don't have to speak to people.

How easy it was to lie when one had to lie!

The first person you should think of pleasing, in writing a book, is yourself. If you can amuse yourself for the length of time it takes to write a book, the publisher and the readers can and will come later.

one blow in anger [would] kill, probably, a child from aged two to eight. Those over eight would take two blows to kill.

Anticipation! It occurred to him that his anticipation was more pleasant to him than the experiencing.

Perhaps it was freedom itself that choked her.

I have Graham Greene's telephone number, but I wouldn't dream of using it. I don't seek out writers because we all want to be alone.