Len wein

I had never really thought of myself as a writer; any writing I had done was just to give myself something to draw.

I would like immortality.

The bottom line always remains the same: What is the basic humanity of the character? How do I make them resonate with the reader?

I realized the only thing I owed my audience was my own judgment and my own best effort.

If a story isn't working, I'm simply unable to finish it. That's what usually tells me something is wrong.

You can read a dozen different textbooks or how-to manuals that will tell you the basic rules of what makes a story - a beginning, a middle, and an end.

I've had editors over the years who couldn't find a clue if it was stapled to their butt.

In general, shorter is better. If you can encapsulate your idea into a single captivating sentence, you're halfway home.

A writer writes. Period. No matter if someone is buying your work or not.

I try to find what makes even the worst, most despicable character sympathetic at his or her core.