“Writers will happen in the best of families.”

“When a writer is born into a family, the family is finished.”

“There are all kinds of writers. The best writers write children's books.”

“When success happens to an English writer, he acquires a new typewriter. When success happens to an American writer, he acquires a new life.”

“Nothing bad can happen to a writer. Everything is material.”

“The best life for a writer is the life which helps him write the best books he can.”

“The politics of the family are the politics of a nation. Just as the authoritarian family is the authoritarian state in microcosm, the democratic family is the best training ground for life in a democracy.”

“I am a terrible writer. You are a great writer. I went to sales school. You have a master’s degree. Put them together and you get a best-selling author’ and a ‘best-writing author.”

“You must remember, family is often born of blood, but it doesn't depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.”

“The thing all writers do best is find ways to avoid writing.”