“let's do it for Johnny”

“Asleep, he looked a lot younger than going-on-seventeen, but I had noticed that Johnny looked younger when he was asleep too, so I figured everyone did. Maybe people are younger when they are asleep.”

“Anything you read can influence your work, so I try to read good stuff.”

“You know a guy a longtime, and I mean really know him, you don't get used to the idea that he's dead just overnight.”

“I have no idea why I write. The old standards are: I like to express my feelings, stretch my imagination, earn money.”

“Johnny died.”

“Johnny almost grinned as he nodded. "Tuff enough," he managed, and by the way his eyes were glowing, I figured Southern gentlemen had nothing on Johnny Cade.”