Writing a good query letter has very little to do with writing a good novel. But if you can't write the one, it makes it really hard to get the other published.

It's hard to be wrongfully accused, but it's worse when the people looking down on you are clods who have never read a book or traveled more than twenty miles from the place they were born.

Just handle the books gently and you’ll get along fine.

I have heard what poets write about women. They rhyme and rhapsodize and lie. I have watched sailors on the shore stare mutely at the slow-rolling swell of the sea. I have watched old soldiers with hearts like leather grow teary-eyed at their king's colors stretched against the wind. Listen to me: these men know nothing of love. You will not find it in the words of poets or the longing eyes of sailors. If you want to know of love, look to a trouper's hands as he makes his music. A trouper knows.

It's hard for me to take myself too seriously when I'm constantly experiencing firsthand what an incredible gimp I can be.

“I will admit, I've never had a student offer himself up for a vicious beating in order to prove he's worth my time.” “This was nothing... Once I jumped off a roof.”

Its like he knows he's better than you, but doesn't look down on you for it because he knows it's not your fault.