Really, When I Write A

At The Time I Begin Writing A Novel, The Last Thing I Want To Do Is Follow A Plot Outline. To Know Too Much At The Start Takes The Pleasure Out Of Discovering What The Book Is About.

Don't Go Into Great Detail Describing Places And Things, Unless You're ­margaret Atwood And Can Paint Scenes With Language. You Don't Want Descriptions That Bring The Action, The Flow Of The Story, To A Standstill.

These Are Rules I've Picked Up Along The Way To Help Me Remain Invisible When I'm Writing A Book, To Help Me Show Rather Than Tell What's Taking Place In The Story.

Never Use A Verb Other Than "said" To Carry Dialogue... I Once Noticed Mary Mccarthy Ending A Line Of Dialogue With "she Asseverated" And Had To Stop Reading And Go To The Dictionary.

There's Nothing Like Work To Take Your Mind Off Your Worries.