“The major difference between a relationship and a novel draft is that you hae control over your novel's outcome.”
“To write an excellent novel, make the outcome of the story matter to the reader through the evolving relationships between well-designed characters.”
“Henry James said there isn't any difference between "the English novel" and "the American novel" since there are only two kinds of novels at all, the good and the bad.”
“A novel rough draft is like bread dough; you need to beat the crap out of it for it to rise.”
“Writing a novel is like pottery. Your initial draft of your story is like a lump of clay. Editing is like shaping that piece of clay into something interesting and beautiful.”
“Clearly she knew that between book lovers, a novel is not a novel is not a novel. It's a symbol, an offering -- and sometimes a test”