The flaw of an amateur is to assume what's in our head is what's on the page. — David Morrell Amateur Copy Share Image
A thriller becomes great when it carries a feeling of reality and truth. — David Morrell Carrie Copy Share Image
“the anxiety of the unpredictable came only when you dealt with amateurs” — David Morrell Amateurs Copy Share Image
One generation's idea of fast pace might be different from a later generation's. — David Morrell Different Copy Share Image
“Sometimes life kicks you in the teeth with an irony that a self-respecting fiction writer would be ashamed to invent.” — David Morrell Life Copy Share Image
" ... What if?" Through the alchemy of those two words, something new comes into the world. — David Morrell Alchemy Copy Share Image
When I started 'First Blood,' back in 1968, I was deeply influenced by Geoffrey Household's 'Rogue Male.' — David Morrell Back Copy Share Image
“Just because somebody smiles when he hands me a bag of shit, that doesn't mean I have to take it. I don't… — David Morrell Friendly Copy Share Image
“don’t expect a magic formula that’ll make books fall out of your head and automatically give you a wide readership.” — David Morrell Book Copy Share Image
A thriller must be thrilling. A mystery may or may not be a thriller depending on how much breathless emotion it has,… — David Morrell Adventure Copy Share Image
When I teach writing, I have a mantra: 'Be a first-rate version of yourself, and not a second-rate version of another writer.' — David Morrell Another Copy Share Image
My son died from cancer. My granddaughter died from cancer. I have a lot of reasons to think that reality is not… — David Morrell Cancer Copy Share Image
I use these senses - touch, sight, feel and smell - as triggers that invite readers or propel them into the scene.… — David Morrell About Copy Share Image
If you chase the market, it's not going to come to you. You have to have faith in yourself. I think one… — David Morrell Authors Copy Share Image
You have to follow your own voice. You have to be yourself when you write. In effect, you have to announce, 'This… — David Morrell Being yourself Copy Share Image
Before I start a project, I always ask myself the following question. Why is this book worth a year of my life?… — David Morrell Book Copy Share Image
Writers need to be tough. This is not for the weak of will. And we have to realize that, yeah, it's never… — David Morrell Car Copy Share Image
Anybody who sits down to write, and they think 'thriller,' maybe shouldn't be thinking that way. Maybe we should be thinking 'novel,'… — David Morrell Anybody Copy Share Image
Remember that just because major publishing is having trouble, that doesn't mean people have stopped reading books. Printed books won't go away,… — David Morrell Away Copy Share Image
“Don't give in to doubt. Never be discouraged if your first draft isn't what you thought it would be. Given skill and… — David Morrell Doubt Copy Share Image
“If the passage absolutely demands cursing, be moderate. A little of it goes a long way. I've seen beginning writers pepper curse… — David Morrell Books Copy Share Image
I have a graduate degree from Penn State. I studied at Penn State under a noted Hemingway scholar, Philip Young. I had… — David Morrell Action Copy Share Image
My world view is that it can all go to hell in an instant, and you have to be ready for it.… — David Morrell About Copy Share Image
“On every page, confidence fights with self-doubt. Every sentence is an act of faith. Why would anybody want to do it?” — David Morrell Confidence Copy Share Image
There are no inferior types of fiction, only inferior practitioners of them. — David Morrell Fiction Copy Share Image
“blackmail never ended. it only bought time. but time was in limited supply. it would last only as long as his money… — David Morrell Blackmail Copy Share Image
“i've heard this called st. peter's square," arlene said. "but it isn't square. it's oval.” — david morrell Irony Copy Share Image
“if people weren't sinners, every intelligence network would be out of business” — David Morrell Business Copy Share Image
People who know various movie versions don't really know the story. — David Morrell Knows Copy Share Image
As long as thriller authors teach us about our world, they'll be relevant. — David Morrell Books Copy Share Image
In my novel, 'First Blood,' Rambo died. In the films, he lives. — David Morrell Blood Copy Share Image
“The posters and rock-star buttons and banners were valueless without the perspective of the mind that had attached significance to them. Souvenirs… — David Morrell Memory Copy Share Image
His name was Rambo, and he was just some nothing kid for all anybody knew, standing by the pump of a gas… — David Morrell Gas Copy Share Image
As much as I like it when a book I'm writing speeds along, the downside can be that an author becomes too… — David Morrell Book Copy Share Image
Your obligation as writers is to distinguish yourself. … The ultimate result should be a book that you write that no one… — David Morrell Book Copy Share Image
At their best, thrillers not only entertain. Ideally they also reflect the society in which they are set, analyzing our fears and… — David Morrell Analyzing Copy Share Image
Some people might be surprised that 'Rambo's creator has a doctorate in American literature. One of my influences is Henry James, whose… — David Morrell About Copy Share Image
One of the advantages of having gone to Penn State was having had a scholar for a mentor - Philip Young. Also,… — David Morrell Advantages Copy Share Image
“It is impossible to determine precisely how many Victorians were dependent on the drug, but since millions used it on a daily… — David Morrell Dark room Copy Share Image
