I always say three things make a writer: inspiration, obviously perspiration, doing the work. But the third is desperation. Im not really fit for anything else, or to have a real job. That fear drives me. The pressure has always been self inflicted. – Harlan Coben
Tragedy is a hell of a teacher. Its much too strict, but its a hell of a teacher. – Harlan Coben
Id never had money growing up, and its never been that important to me, except maybe to take our kids on a nice vacation or something like that. – Harlan Coben
Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. I may joke about knowing fear, but the fact is, the first time I ever knew real fear was the day Charlotte, my first child, was born. Suddenly there is someone in the world you care about more than anything. – Harlan Coben
I have a fear of poverty in old age. I have this vision of myself living in a skip and eating cat food. Its because Im freelance, and Ive never had a proper job. I dont have a pension, and my savings are dwindling. I always thought someone would just come along and look after me. – Jenny Eclair