Never Use A Verb Other Than ‘said’

What Do You Tell A Man With Two Black Eyes? Nothing, He's Already Been Told Twice.

There Are Cities That Get By On Their Good Looks, Offer Climate And Scenery, Views Of Mountains Or Oceans, Rockbound Or With Palm Trees. And There Are Cities Like Detroit That Have To Work For A Living.

I Focus On Characters As Individuals With Attitudes And Write Each Scene From A Particular Character's Point Of View. That Way, Even Narrative Passages Take On The Character's Sound. I Don't Want The Reader To Be Aware Of Me, Writing.

I Have Fun Writing. I Don't Make It A Chore. I Don't Have To Struggle With It.

Bad Guys Are Not Bad Guys Twenty-four Hours A Day.