“Your life story would not make a good book. Don’t even try.”

“Very few people possess true artistic ability. It is therefore both unseemly and unproductive to irritate the situation by making an effort. If you have a burning, restless urge to write or paint, simply eat something sweet and the feeling will pass. Your life story would not make a good book. Do not even try.”

“if you want to convince children of the power of books, don’t tell them stories are good. Tell them a good story.”

“Sad stories make good books”

“Don’t work too hard. Try to maintain balance. Don’t make work your whole life.”

“Since I was trying so hard to make books lead my life, I didn’t want to read them and then just put them back on the shelf and say, “good book,” as if I was patting a good dog. I wanted books to change me, and I wanted to write books that would change others.”