It gets so tiring, this strong-picking-on-the-weak stuff. It was the story of my life -literally- and it seemed to be a big part of the outside world too. I was sick of it, sick of guys like these, stupid and bullying.

Once I was seated, I couldn't help people-watching. I'll admit it, I'm an addict from way back.

Holy [Insert your choice of a swear word here]," said Fang stunned.

There's always be a me and you.

I didn't know a van could go up on two wheels like that, for so long." -Nudge

What I'm really addicted to is getting people to understand that if their kids aren't competent readers coming out of middle school, it's really going to be hard for them in high school.

I'm big on having a blistering pace. That's one of the hallmarks of what I do, and that's not easy. I never blow up cars and things like that, so it's something else that keeps the suspense flowing. I try not to write a chapter that isn't going to turn on the movie projector in your head.