The harder you had to work to open a package, the less you ended up caring about what was inside.

When the reader hears strong echoes of his or her own life and beliefs, he or she is apt to become more invested in the story.

But there's one thing I'm sure about. An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.

In polite society, we call our obsessions hobbies.

I never have a thematic intention at the outset.

stop now before i kill you a word to the wise from your friend PENNYWISE

I love you too much to lie to you, Lisey. I love you with all that passes for my heart. I suspect that kind of all-out love becomes a burden to a woman in time, but it's the only kind I have to give. I think we're going to be quite a wealthy couple in terms of money, but I'll almost certainly be an emotional pauper all my life. I've got the money coming, but as for the rest I've got just enough for you, and I won't ever dirty or dilute it with lies. Not with the words I say, not with the ones I hold back.