I'm a proud Australian, a very, very proud Australian.
I don't believe in writer's block or waiting for inspiration. If you're a writer, you sit down and write.
I always felt, you don’t have a good time doin crime, you may as well find a job.
I focus on characters as individuals with attitudes and write each scene from a particular character's point of view. That way, even narrative passages take on the character's sound. I don't want the reader to be aware of me, writing.
My most important rule is one that sums up the 10: If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
I've quit writing screenplay [adaptations]. It's too much work. I don't look at writing a novel as work, because I only have to please myself. I have a good time sitting here by myself, thinking up situations and characters, getting them to talk - it's so satisfying. But screenwriting's different. You might think you're writing for yourself, but there are too many other people to please.
Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue. . . I once noticed Mary McCarthy ending a line of dialogue with "she asseverated" and had to stop reading and go to the dictionary.
I was raised in a very blue-collar family.
One of the places where research is needed is all the sensory problems. And you get sensory problems not just with autism, but with dyslexia, learning problems, ADHD, attention deficit, you know, things like sound sensitivity, problems with fluorescent lighting.
One is proud to worship when he cannot be an idol.
I ran to my marriage, I was happily ready to take on marriage.