The water was glassy and calm, still candy-colored in the afterglow of sunset.

Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty.

But it's writing, damn it, not washing the car or putting on eyeliner. If you can take it seriously, we can do business. If you can't or won't, it's time for you to close the book and do something else. Wash the car, maybe.

Get busy living, or get busy dying.

...you need openness and inability to do anything other than get to the point.

Writers must be fair and remember even bad guys (most of them, anyway) see themselves as good—they are the heroes of their own lives. Giving them a fair chance as characters can create some interesting shades of gray—and shades of gray are also a part of life.

He sat upon his throne, which is made of skulls.