“If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.”

“And perhaps there is no advice to give a writer more important than this: — Never write anything that does not give you great pleasure.”

“That 'writers write' is meant to be self-evident. People like to say it. I find it is hardly ever true. Writers drink. Writers rant. Writers phone. Writers sleep. I have met very few writers who write at all.”

“It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write.”

“The subject that interests most writers is, of course, themselves and it is easy subject to talk about. But you know it is always easier if you are a poet or a novelist because you are used to talking in your voice. You suspend your whole life talking as writer directly to the audience. The problem is being playwright is that everything that you write is for someone else to say.”

“If you want to be a writer-stop talking about it and sit down and write!”

“The only advice I can give to aspiring writers is don't do it unless you're willing to give your whole life to it. Red wine and garlic also helps.”

“When young writers approach me for advice, I remind them, as gently as I can, that they are on their own, with no help available anywhere.”

“People ask what gives me the authority to give advice? I say, First of all, I don't give advice. Dr Phil gives advice. Mr T helps people. I motivate them, I inspire them, I give them hope, and I plant the seed so they can feel good about themselves.”

“I write exactly as I speak, so therefore I would not say any writer influenced me at all.”