If you want to be a writer, I have two pieces of advice. One is to be a reader. I think that's one of the most important parts of learning to write. The other piece of advice is 'Just do it!' Don't think about it, don't agonize, sit down and write.

I like having a private name and a public name. It helps keep things straight.

Things are rough all over.

It ain't fair that we have all the rough breaks!

If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky

When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home.

They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.