Yes, Bastille. I keep trying to get killed because it's inconvenient for you.

...A man can only stumble for so long before he either falls or stands up straight.

Sometimes it was daunting, knowing how easily I could break things. This one simple curse seemed to dominate my entire life.

The sudden and abrupt removal of my all-consuming goal ... well, it was like I was a donut, and somebody had sucked all the jelly out of me. But I could stuff new jelly in there. It would just get my hands a little sticky in the process.

So, when people try to give you some book with a shiny round award on the cover, be kind and gracious, but tell them you don't read "fantasy," because you prefer stories that are real. Then come back here and continue your research on the cult of evil Librarians who secretly rule the world.

You're a sword not a palm tree

When I do research, I cast my net very widely and then snatch what feels right out of that. Occasionally I'll read a specific book for a specific book, but usually I'm trying to increase my general understanding.