You can fix anything but a blank page.

Good fiction creates its own reality.

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.

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

I can fix a bad page. I can't fix a blank page.

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.