I do worry about the expectation to look a certain way.
The one word that no politician will ever speak, is 'enough. ' Enough.
Every writer scrounges for inspiration in different places, and there's no shame in raiding the headlines. It's necessary, in fact, when attempting contemporary satire. Sharp-edged humor relies on topical reference points.
I love reality shows. The folks who dream up some of these concepts are either geniuses, or totally stoned.
Like Richard Price and the late, great Elmore Leonard, Matt Burgess is one of those cool, quick and funny writers who can turn a seemingly routine crime caper into something special.
The greatest sin for a writer is to be boring.
The Florida in my novels is not as seedy as the real Florida. It's hard to stay ahead of the curve. Every time I write a scene that I think is the sickest thing I have ever dreamed up, it is surpassed by something that happens in real life.
My dad encouraged us to fail. Growing up, he would ask us what we failed at that week. If we didn't have something, he would be disappointed. It changed my mindset at an early age that failure is not the outcome, failure is not trying. Don't be afraid to fail.
Commute me, execute me. Don't drag it out.
There are some times. . . when the love for people is strong and warm like a sorrow.
Throw up whatever's making you sick, Darren," he said, "then get your behind back in here.