“This book is fiction, but there is always a chance that such a work of fiction may throw some light on what has been written as fact.”

“If the reader prefers, this book may be regarded as fiction. But there is always the chance that such a book of fiction may throw some light on what has been written as fact.”

“What a writer has to do is write what hasn't been written before or beat dead men at what they have done.”

“When I am working on a book or story I write every morning as soon after first light as possible. There is no one to disturb you and it is cool or cold and you come to your work and warm as you write. You read what you have written and, as you always stop when you know what is going to happen next, you go on from there. You write until you come to a place where you still have your juice and know what will happen next and you stop and try to live through until the next day next you hit it again.”

“People who write fiction, if they had not taken it up, might have become very successful liars.”

“The fun of talk is to explore, but much of it and all that is irresponsible should not be written. Once written you have to stand by it. You may have said it to see whether you believed it or not.”

“Work every day. No matter what has happened the day or night before, get up and bite on the nail.”