There are relatively few science fiction or fantasy books with the main character being an old person.

I had, of course, no model for that sort of woman being married, but I can make that up as I go along.

Normal' is a dryer setting.

I love biomedical science, I love astronomy, and you can't really do much with those in a fantasy setting.

Everything in my life that I value has been gained at the cost of not saying what I really think and saying what they want me to say.

It is not wrong to be different. Sometimes it is hard, but it is not wrong.

Even if a tamed wolf makes a good sheepdog, he will never understand how the sheep feel....You are most fortunate. For having been, as you thought, a coward, and helpless to fight - you know what that is like. You know what bitterness that feeling breeds - you know in your own heart what kind of evil it brings. And so you are most fit to fight it where it occurs.