nothing can wear you out like caring about people

You get tough like me and you don't get hurt. You look out for yourself and nothin' can touch you.

Sixteen years on the streets and you can learn a lot. But all the wrong things, not the things you want to learn. Sixteen years on the streets and you see a lot. But all the wrong sights, not the things you want to see.

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.

They used to be buddies, I thought, they used to be friends, and now they hate each other because one has to work for a living and the other comes from the West Side. They shouldn't hate each other.

He died violent and young and desperate, just like we all knew he'd die someday.

He sure put things into words good.