“Most people probably didn't think I'd make it as a professional writer. But I couldn't follow their advice.”

“I wish the masses of people would all follow my advice, because I'd throw it off a cliff.”

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn't quit.”

“It's good advice, but I expect it will be hard to follow; good advice is apt to be, I think.”

“I never used to realize it, I guess. I try and play it along and just not make trouble for people. Probably I never would have had any trouble at all if I hadn't run into Brett when they shipped me to England. I suppose she only wanted what she couldn't have. Well, people were that way. To hell with people. The Catholic Church had an awfully good way of handling all that. Good advice, anyway. Not to think about it. Oh, it was swell advice. Try and take it sometime. Try and take it.”

“Most people keep their dreams to themselves, afraid to follow their hearts. Writers make their dreams a reality with each word, each line that flows from their pen.”