No matter our talent, we all know in the midnight of our souls that 90 percent of what we do is less than our best.

When talented people write badly, it's generally for one of two reasons: Either they're blinded by an idea they feel compelled to prove of they're driven by an emotion they must express. When talented people write well, it is generally for this reason: They're moved by a desire to touch the audience.

In life two negatives don't make a positive. Double negatives turn positive only in math and formal logic. In life things just get worse and worse and worse.

Story is metaphor for life and life is lived in time.

Don't be didactic - don't write about poverty. Write about poor people. When you dramatize their lives and let life and characters be your inspiration, you will express the 'idea' dynamically and without preaching.

Most of life's actions are within our reach, but decisions take willpower.

The Business story is designed to trigger the listener to take an effective action. If it doesn't, the story fails.