The silly question is the first intimation of some totally new development.
In fact, one could argue that the skill of the fiction writer boils down to the ability to exploit intensity.
Characters who are absolutely sure about what they do, who plunge ahead without fear, are not that interesting. We don’t go through life that way. In reality, we have doubts just like everyone else. Bringing your Lead’s doubts to the surface in your plot pulls the reader deeper into the story, and this is an excellent way to coax the reader to lose himself in the story world you’re about to create.
Status, worry and comparison are ways to madness, not victory.
My philosophy on writing books is that if you learn only one new thing, or even get a new take on something you already know, it's worth it.
Every hour you spend writing is an hour you don't spend worrying about your writing.
The most important rule: Do not, I repeat, do not censor yourself in any way. Leave your editorial mind out of the loop. Just let the ideas come pouring out in any way, shape, or form they want to. Do not judge anything.
Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge; even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won't profit you at all. . . . Without charity-or the pure love of Christ-whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.
A knight whose heart is set upon the Way, but who is ashamed of wearing shabby clothes and eating coarse food, is not worth calling into counsel.
The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else.
Technical people don't make good slaves. Without their wholehearted cooperation, things fall apart.