“There is no finer form of fiction than the mystery. It has structure, a story line and a sense of place and pace. It is the one genre where the reader and the writer are pitted against each other. Readers don’t want to guess the ending, but they don’t want to be so baffled that it annoys them. … The research you do is crucial. In mystery fiction, you have to tell the truth. You can’t fool the reader and expect to get away with it.” – Sue Grafton

“If you boldly risk writing a novel that might be acclaimed as great, and fail, you could succeed in writing a book that is splendid.” – Leonard Bishop

“I am happiest writing in small rooms. They make me feel comfortable and secure. And it took me years to figure out that I need to write in a corner. Like a small animal burrowing into its hole, I shift furniture around, and back myself into a cozy corner, with my back to the wall … and then I can write.” —Danielle Steel

“If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.” ― Dorothy Parker

“Work with all your intelligence and love. Work freely and rollickingly….Mentally (at least three or four times a day) thumb your nose at all know-it-alls, jeerers, critics, doubters.” – Brenda Ueland

“Writing is like breathing. It’s possible to learn to do it well, but the point is to do it no matter what.” – Julia Cameron

“Don’t quit. It’s very easy to quit during the first ten years.” – Andre Dubus