...every writer I had ever known wrote his best work when he had his back up against the wall and thought he would never write another word.

And yet, wasn't the terrific thing about stories the fact that they joined readers together, that they made people realize they were not alone in their hopes, dreams, and fears?

Isn’t that why all writers write? To inspire their readers?

Every criminal would be an artist if he had the talent, and every artist would become a criminal if he had the guts.

Sometimes in fiction you had to mute reality in order to make it seem more believable.

...there was a certain comfort in surrender.