James Blish told me I had the worst case of "said bookism" (that is, using every word except said to indicate dialogue). He told me to limit the verbs to said, replied, asked, and answered and only when absolutely necessary.

I have always used emotion as a writing tool. That goes back to me being on the stage

I think the Internet, particularly the availability of information, is great. I do a lot of correspondence on-line and have a chat line to talk to my fans as well

People have freaked out when I tell them that my dragons are scientifically based... what else can you call a genetically engineered life form?

But I will say that living in Ireland has changed the cadence and fullness of speech, since the Irish love words and use as many of them in a sentence as possible

Fear has its uses but cowardice has none.

A real scientist solves problems, not wails that they are unsolvable.