Some writers later, describing the events of that night and day, wrote that Wan'yen of the Altai had seen a spirit-dragon of the river and become afraid. Writers do that sort of thing. They like dragons in their tales.

After a while, you start to realize that you should write a book you would want to read. I try to write a book I would enjoy.

The deeds of men, as footprints in the desert. Nothing under the circling moons is fated to last. Even the sun goes down.

It is always difficult, even with the best will in the world, to look back a long way and see anything resembling the truth.

One man sees a riselka: his life forks there. Two men see a riselka: one of them shall die. Three men see a riselka: one is blessed, one forks, one shall die.

The heart has its own laws... and the truth is... the truth is that you are the law of mine.

Lazy poets try to elicit a reader's response with words designed to tug at the heart.