Writing a novel is a terrible experience, during which the hair often falls out and the teeth decay. I'm always irritated by people who imply that writing fiction is an escape from reality. It is a plunge into reality and it's very shocking to the system.

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

Isn’t it queer: there are only two or three human stories, and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before; like the larks in this country, that have been singing the same five notes for thousands of years.

First, find out what your hero wants, then just follow him!

The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.