Most critical writing is drivel and half of it is dishonest. It is a short cut to oblivion, anyway. Thinking in terms of ideas destroys the power to think in terms of emotions and sensations.

At least half the mystery novels published violate the law that the solution, once revealed, must seem to be inevitable.

There's always something to do if you don't have to work or consider the cost. It's no real fun but the rich don't know that. They never had any. They never want anything very hard except maybe somebody else's wife and that's a pretty pale desire compared with the way a plumber's wife wants new curtains for the living room.

The wet air was as cold as the ashes of love.

When I split an infinitive, God damn it, I split it so it stays split.

If my books had been any worse, I should not have been invited to Hollywood, and if they had been any better, I should not have come.

I have made three rules of writing for myself that are absolutes: Never take advice. Never show or discuss work in progress. Never answer a critic.