"The writer is a man who is always trying to create something new, something original, something that has never been seen before."

The art of the novel is to create a world that is more real than reality itself.

"The great advantage of being a writer is that you can spy on people. You're there, listening to every word, but part of you is observing. Everything is useful to a writer, every scrap, even the longest and most boring of luncheon parties."

You have to be willing to fail, to be wrong, to look foolish.