The novel succeeds on terms exclusive to literature. A good film succeeds on terms exclusive to the cinema. That's why so many bad novels can become good movies like 'Jaws' or 'The Godfather.'

I'm a morning person because I learned to write my novels while still practicing law. I would get to the office at 6:30 a.m. and write until other people arrived around 9. Now I still do that. I start at 6:30 or 7 and I'll write until 11 then take an hour off then work until about 2 p.m. By then my brain has had enough.

I started writing morning pages just to keep my hand in you know just because I was a writer and I didn't know what else to do but write. And then one day as I was writing a character came sort of strolling in and I realized Oh my God I don't have to be just a screenwriter. I can write novels.

I have written two medical novels. I have never studied medicine never seen an operation.

French novels generally treat of the relations of women to the world and to lovers after marriage consequently there is a great deal in French novels about adultery about improper relations between the sexes about many things which the English public would not allow.

I do have two data identities. I have my name Bruce Sterling which is my public name under which I write novels. I also have my other name which is my legal name under which I own property and vote.

Heaven knows I've exposed myself in my novels through the use of fantasy and imagination... now my new book is about what really happened to me... not my heroines.

I suppose I'm proudest of my novels for what's imagined in them. I think the world of my imagination is a richer and more interesting place than my personal biography.

Asking the author of historical novels to teach you about history is like expecting the composer of a melody to provide answers about radio transmission.

Love is more pleasant than marriage for the same reason that novels are more amusing than history.