Anyone else feel like that? Like your life's a big act. Like you're trying to be a man when you're just a scared kid, trying to keep under control when you really want to scream, cry, or maybe hit someone. Ever feel like you're breathing underwater and you have to stop because you're gulping in too much fluid.

People make such a big deal about looks, but after a while, when you know someone, you don't even notice anymore.

Maybe we judge people too much by their looks because it's easier than seeing what's really important.

Since I've written many of my books from a less-than-sympathetic viewpoint, I think that being able to see things from all sides is a useful talent.

A boy admiring a pretty girl. A rare thing to be certain. But love-true love-is something else.

I was painfully shy, and I had tremendous difficulty making friends. So, lacking friends, I watched other people. Watching is something all writers must do, and it was in junior high that I learned to do it.

Those who do not know how to see the precious things in life will never be happy.