All great literature is one of two stories; a man goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.

You can fix anything but a blank page.

The most important things to remember about back story are that (a) everyone has a history and (b) most of it isn’t very interesting.

I have stolen ideas from every book I have ever read.

When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.

There are books full of great writing that don't have very good stories. Read sometimes for the story... don't be like the book-snobs who won't do that. Read sometimes for the words--the language. Don't be like the play-it-safers who won't do that. But when you find a book that has both a good story and good words, treasure that book.