I had it then. Soda fought for fun, Steve for hatred, Darry for pride, and Two-Bit for conformity. Why do I fight? I thought, and couldn't think of any real good reason. There isn't any real good reason for fighting except self-defense.

Anything you read can influence your work, so I try to read good stuff.

Get smart and nothing can touch you.

Things are rough all over.

You know a guy a longtime, and I mean really know him, you don't get used to the idea that he's dead just overnight.

We couldn't get along without him. We needed Johnny as much as he needed the gang. And for the same reason.

I never base a character on someone I know. You can get ideas from real life, but every character you write is some aspect of yourself.