The problem of the novel is to stay truthful. The short story, if you really are intense and you have an exciting idea, writes itself in a few hours. - Ray Bradbury

But most of all, I like to watch people. Sometimes I ride the subway all day and look at them and listen to them. I just want to figure out who they are and what they want and where they are going. Sometimes I even go to Fun parks and ride in the jet cars when they race on the edge of town at midnight and the police don't care as long as they're insured. As long as everyone has ten thousand insurance everyone's happy. Sometimes I sneak around and listen in subways. Or I listen at soda fountains, and do you know what? People don't talk about anything.

A book has got smell. A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. An old book smells like ancient Egypt.

Write a short story every week. It's not possible to write 52 bad short stories in a row.