I sometimes use some personality traits to fashion part of a character. Most of my characters are composites of either people I know or people in the public eye. Nelson DeMille More Quotes by Nelson DeMille More Quotes From Nelson DeMille The meaning of life has not much to do with good and evil, right and wrong, duty, honor, country, or any of that. It has to do with cutting the right deal. Nelson DeMille cutting evil country A lot of our perception of history is influenced by inaccurate movies. Nelson DeMille perception ...the most common cause of death among alpha males was ego. Nelson DeMille males ego causes Mrs. Corey still uses her maiden name for business, or when she wants to pretend she doesn’t know me. Nelson DeMille use names want Basically, all women are nurturers and healers, and all men are mental patients to varying degrees. Nelson DeMille women degrees patient Panic---a deep abiding, free-floating anxiety, often without any reason or logical basis. Nelson DeMille abiding anxiety floating Job happiness is directly proportional to the distance you are from the home office. Nelson DeMille distance home jobs I turned to the Times crossword puzzle and asked Kate, “What’s the definition of a moderate Arab?” “I don’t know.” “A guy who ran out of ammunition. Nelson DeMille crosswords definitions guy Everyone looked pensive, which is good cover-up for clueless. Nelson DeMille pensive cover-ups clueless I do write my manuscripts by hand, in pencil on legal pads. Then they are typed on a word processor by my typist. Nelson DeMille pads writing hands Ernest Hemingway was the author I drew inspiration from. Nelson DeMille inspiration I have no plans to use the Internet as the main subject of a novel. Nelson DeMille internet novel use I think it's more difficult now to write a spy thriller with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Many authors have tried, but few have succeeded in capturing the interest of readers. Nelson DeMille spy writing thinking I try to end every chapter with an air of suspense. I try to leave the reader wanting to turn the page. Nelson DeMille pages air trying It's much different today than it was during the Cold War. The CIA is not the subject of many books anymore. But that might change, because of international terrorism and Red China. Nelson DeMille different war book I was trained in Army Intelligence, but spent most of my army career in the infantry. But like many people of my generation, I was very much caught up in the Cold War, and books and movies about espionage. Nelson DeMille army war book There are a lot of books about the passing of the English aristocracy, but the vast majority of Long Islanders don't understand their own backyard. It's a private preserve. Nelson DeMille majority long book G.I. humor is similar to cop humor. Nelson DeMille cop I had a very strong desire to be successful at something. Nelson DeMille strong successful desire I read 'Time', 'Newsweek' and 'The Economist'. Nelson DeMille economist