all men carry murder in their hearts, yet even so, the poisoner is beneath contempt.

As Faulkner says, all of us have the capacity in us for great good and for great evil, for love but also for hate. I wanted to write those kinds of complex character in a fantasy, and not just have all the good people get together to fight the bad guy.

I have the virtue of being still amongst the living. Some would say that is my only virtue.

I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. That's like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Mt. Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft.

Too stupid to learn and too stupid to give up.

A frightened man is a beaten man.

I knew a man once who told me that I smiled at the wrong things." "Do you? "Only by the light of those who smile at nothing.