Character, I think, is the single most important thing in fiction. You might read a book once for its interesting plot—but not twice.

It has always been forever, for me, Sassenach

If I die," he whispered in the dark, "dinna follow me. The bairns will need ye. Stay for them. I can wait.

Once you've chosen a man, don't try to change him', I wrote with more confidence. 'It can't be done. More important-don't let him try to change you.

You dinna need to understand me, Sassenach," he said quietly. "So long as you love me.

Oh, womanly sympathy, love AND food?" I said, laughing. "Don't want a lot, do you?

At last I took one big, callused hand and slid forward so I knelt on the boards between his knees. I laid my head against his chest, and felt his breath stir my hair. I had no words, but I had made my choice. "'Whither thou goest,'" I said. "'I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.' Be it Scottish hill or southern forest. You do what you have to; I'll be there.