1. “Still, something about writing made me spend large hours of my free time at my desk.”

2. “Writing's still the most difficult job I've ever had - but it's worth it.”

3. “It's hard to read good fiction when I am writing, because if it is really good I catch myself sort of inadvertently imitating a great writer.”

4. “I spend a lot of time outlining before I write the first word.”

5. “I like to start with the first chapter, end with chapter 40. No flashbacks, nothing fancy, just a direct storytelling.”

6. “In life, finding a voice is speaking and living the truth. Each of you is an original. Each of you has a distinctive voice. When you find it, your story will be told. You will be heard.

7. “Stephen King reached out to me twenty-five years ago and taught me some valuable lessons. In return, I've tried to be generous with my time over the years with young writers. I've given them my email and said if you need someone to talk to, I've been through it.”;

8. “One thing you really have to watch as a writer is getting on a soapbox or pulpit about anything. You don't want to alienate readers.

9. “An outline is crucial. It saves so much time. When you write suspense, you have to know where you're going because you have to drop little hints along the way. With the outline, I always know where the story is going. So before I ever write, I prepare an outline of 40 or 50 pages.

10. “Live your life the way you want. You'll figure it out.

John Grisham

  John Grisham was born on February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro,  Arkansas. He is an American bestselling novelist, and his books have been translated into 42 languages, and eight of his books have been adapted into film. Grisham is best known for his books, The Firm, Time to Kill, Pelican Brief, and several others. His works are published world wide, and has sold over 300 million copies, with an estimated net worth of $300 million.  

 "Don't compromise yourself - you're all you have. " ~ John Grisham

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