“In the world of your story, your outline is like the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, your characters are all Atheists.”

“Good story' means something worth telling that the world wants to hear. Finding this is your lonely task...But the love of a good story, of terrific characters and a world driven by your passion, courage, and creative gifts is still not enough. Your goal must be a good story well told.”

“Respect your characters, even the ­minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story; it is worth thinking about what your minor characters' stories are, even though they may intersect only slightly with your protagonist's.”

“Never compromise your character's personality just to make a scene more exciting. Stories flow through your character, so never forget who they are.”

“All your life you live so close to truth, it becomes a permanent blur in the corner of your eye, and when something nudges it into outline it is like being ambushed by a grotesque.”

“It’s easier to be a character in a story than the star of your own tragedy.”