Let the writer take up surgery or bricklaying if he is interested in technique. There is no mechanical way to get the writing done, no shortcut. The young writer would be a fool to follow a theory. Teach yourself by your own mistakes; people learn only by error. The good artist believes that nobody is good enough to give him advice. He has supreme vanity. No matter how much he admires the old writer, he wants to beat him.

It's always the idle habits you acquire which you will regret.

It's always the idle habits you acquire which you will regret. Father said that. That Christ was not crucified: he was worn away by a minute clicking of little wheels. That had no sister.

I believe man will not merely endure, he will prevail...because he has a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.

History is not was, it is.

In writing, you must kill all your darlings.

The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means.