It is hard to compare the eras, but Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb from the past, Sandy Koufax and Roger Clements from the present.

My main income came from failed movie and TV options.

If you build it, he will come.

He bats like a lightning rod.

Found a good voice and took advantage of it. Each of my specialties was like a prospector discovering a vein of gold. I worked each until the vein was exhausted.

[Mid-list writers are now] less greed on the part of both publishers and chain booksellers. It is easier for them to publish and sell only blockbusters and leave the real work to small presses.

Discovered W. Somerset Maugham in about 5th grade. Didn't understand the plots, but loved the descriptions.