Words are the only bullets in truth's bandolier. And poets are the snipers.

You've probably heard about the theory of steam-engine time - that even after the steam engine had been invented, it had to wait until people were ready to make use of it. The same thing happens in literary circles. The truth is, I'm not terribly interested in Victorian times; I'm interested in Victorian writers. I'm interested in most eras of history, but not the Victorian Era especially. I was interested in the John Franklin Expedition. I was interested in these last five weird years of Dickens' life. And I just have to take the age that comes with all that when I write about it.

As long as my sixth graders showed an average improvement of five years, the principal and district pretty much left me alone to create my own curriculum and teach whatever I wanted

But I think, and hope, that the novels can be understood and enjoyed as science fiction, on their own terms.

No book or poem is ever finished, merely abandoned.

It occurs to me that our survival may depend upon our talking to one another.

The young remember most deeply.... When we are old and failing, it is the memories of childhood which can be summoned most clearly.