College had little effect on me. I'd have been the same writer if I'd gone to MIT, except I'd have flunked out sooner.

I took my .38 out and looked to see that there were bullets in all the proper places. I knew there would be, but it did no harm to be careful. And I'd seen Clint Eastwood do it once in the movies.

Teaching is too strong a word for whatever it was I did at Northeastern University

This was 1954, friends. The girls' dorm was off limits. Even to girls, I think.

I think at this stage in my life I have learned that there are any number of things that men will never know, and can never hope to know, about women.

Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.

Well, you give me too much credit for foresight and planning. I haven't got a clue what the hell I'm doing.