“Writers were blessed stenographers taking divine dictation.”

“But I think there are a set of experiences that turn a potential writer into a working writer, and then there are places in your life were you start to recognize what you want to do.”

“Outlines are the last resource of bad fiction writers who wish to God they were writing masters' theses.”

“One rule of the road not directly stated elsewhere in this book: 'The editor is always right.' The corollary is that no writer will take all of his or her editor’s advice; for all have sinned and fallen short of editorial perfection.”

“To write is human, to edit is divine.”

“I can't lie and say there are no bad writers. Sorry, but there are lots of bad writers.”

“remember Stephen King's First Rule of Writers and Agents, learned by bitter personal experience: You don't need one until you're making enough for someone to steal ... and if you're making that much, you'll be able to take your pick of good agents.”