It can be hard to write a skillfully entertaining fiction, but a great book wants to be more, and wants more from us.

Fantasy is, at its best, the purest access to storytelling that we have. It universalizes a tale, it evokes wonder and timeless narrative power, it touches upon inner journeys, it illuminates our collective and individual pasts, throws a focus beam on the present day, and presages the dangers and promises of the future.

Words were power, words tried to change you, to shape bridges of longing that no one could ever really cross.

Writing is never, ever easy but I wake up every morning grateful for the gift of being able to do this.

I have always argued, in a good novel, interesting things happen to interesting people.

Weariness, sometimes more than anything else, can bring an end to war.

Irritation for some men was their response to strain.