I have three older sisters, so we were a reasonably large family and, in general, a happy one.

The previously unloved may find it hard to believe that they are now loved; that is such a miracle, they feel; such a miracle.

Dogs are in on our human silliness; lions are not.

As a writer, you have to realize that people want to like the characters, so you have to be careful to keep them involved.

A wedding was a strange ceremony, she thought, with all those formal words, those solemn vows made by one to another; whereas the real question that should be put to the two people involved was a very simple one. Are you happy with each other? was the only question that should be asked; to which they both should reply, preferably in unison, Yes.

Gracious acceptance is an art - an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving.... Accepting another person's gift is allowing him to express his feelings for you.

I am often thanked by people for inventing the term traditionally built. The people who give me thanks for this are often traditionally built themselves.