A man could not always be where he belonged, though.

The ones who look the most suspicious are likely innocent. It's the ones who look innocent I need to beware.

One of the things I love, and I'm a voracious reader as well as a writer, is books that surprise me, that are not predictable.

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.

The gods made the earth for all men t' share. Only when the kings come with their crowns and steel swords, they claimed it was all theirs. "My trees," they said, "you can't eat them apples. My stream, you can't fish here. My wood, you're not t' hunt. My earth, my water, my castle, my daughter, keep your hands away or I'll chop 'em off, but maybe if you kneel t' me I'll let you have a sniff." You call us thieves, but at least a thief has t' be brave and clever and quick. A kneeler only has t' kneel.

Is it treason to say the truth? A bitter truth, but no less true for that.

I never finished any of my early stories. They were all beginnings, an endless number of beginnings.