“Today the outlandish becomes routine overnight. The humorist is trying to say that it's still outlandish.”

“Write about small, self-contained incidents that are still vivid in your memory. If you remember them, it's because they contain a larger truth that your readers will recognize in their own lives. Think small and you'll wind up finding the big themes in your family saga. ”

“Don’t try to visualize the great mass audience. There is no such audience—every reader is a different person.”

“But what if we fail' they ask, whispering the dreaded word across the Generation Gap to their parents. 'Don't' they whisper back. What they should say is 'Don't be afraid to fail. Failure isn't fatal”

“Be true to yourself and to the culture you were born into. Tell your story as only you can.”

“Examine every word you put on paper. You'll find a surprising number that don't serve any purpose.”

“Less is more.”