I didn't become a good writer until I learned how to rewrite. And I don't just mean fixing spelling and adding a comma. I rewrite each of my books five or six times, and each time I change huge portions of the story.

I never think of an entire book at once. I always just start with a very small idea. In 'Holes,' I just began with the setting; a juvenile correctional facility located in the Texas desert. Then I slowly make up the story, and rewrite it several times, and each time I rewrite it, I get new ideas, and change the old ideas around.

Any good writer is going to be well-received and is going to not be well-received; that's how you know you're a great writer.

A good writer is always a people watcher.

I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.

I don't think I'm a particularly good writer, and I'm not terribly insightful.