When you consider that there are a thousand ways to express even the simplest idea, it is no wonder writers are under a great strain. Writers care greatly how a thing is said - it makes all the difference. So they are constantly faced with too many choices and must make too many decisions. I am still encouraged to go on. I wouldn't know where else to go.

Children are game for anything. I throw them hard words, and they backhand them over the net. They love words that give them a hard time, provided they are in …

The rules of The Elements of Style were as simple to state - 'Omit needless words' - as they were difficult to obey.

Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth. They accept, almost…

Genius still means to me, in my Russian, fastidiousness and pride of phrase, a unique dazzling gift. The gift of James Joyce, and not the talent of Henry James.

Ce n'est pas avec des idees qu'on fait des vers, c'est avec des mots.

Every writer I know has trouble writing.