I remember everyone telling me I had to think positive when I was writing my first book. If I believed I could do it, then I could! If I pictured myself published, then it was going to happen! Which sounded great, except...could I do it? If I didn't think I could, was I doomed to fail? What if I was almost totally sure I would fail? I am here to tell you-what matters is sticking with it.

I thought weirdness was a good thing. I don't mean that defensively, either. I thought it was something to be cultivated.

She can’t help it. She loves the con. I tell myself I’m not like her, but I have to admit I love it too.

We are, largely, who we remember ourselves to be

I'm afraid that whatever I touch is spoilt by the contact." "I'm not scared of being spoiled," Val said.

It's okay," he informs me. "Your grandfather is teaching me how to play poker." If I know Grandad, that means what he'll really be teaching Sam is how to cheat.

So I'm scared, because you're not just not human, you're not like anyone....there's nobody like you in all the world and it's you I want. I want you and I hate wanting things and I especially hate admitting I want them.