With six weeks' worth of recuperation time, you'll also be able to see any glaring holes in the plot or character development. And listen--if you spot a few of these big holes, you are forbidden to feel depressed about them or to beat up on yourself. Screw-ups happen to the best of us.

I changed it. I had to. Do you know why?" She studied him, her eyes grave. "Because that was then and this is now. Because the past is gone, even though it defines the present.

Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruit, but taste completely different.

Working on a new idea is kind of like getting married. Then a new idea comes along and you think, 'Man, I'd really like to go out with her.' But you can't. At least not until the old idea is finished.

I can remember being home from school with tonsillitis and writing stories in bed to pass the time.

The old sleep poorly. Perhaps they stand watch.

Life's simplest answers are often the easiest to overlook.