I'm convinced that FEAR is at the root, of all bad writing

We've switched from a culture that was interested in manufacturing, economics, politics - trying to play a serious part in the world - to a culture that's really entertainment-based.

Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.

There are books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story... don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words--the language. Don't be like the play-it-safers who won't do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book.

Fantasy has a better chance of lasting than a lot of other things. The Hobbit and the Narnia books, they seem to get handed down father to son, mother to daughter. Because they're set in a fantasy world, they can remain relevant.

Practice is invaluable... honesty is indispensable.

Memories are contrary things; if you quit chasing them and turn your back, they often return on their own.