I've always felt that the best whips and chains are in the mind. With a little creativity, the physical ones are hardly necessary.

Sticks and stones and small caliber bullets may break my bones... Words will never, et cetera.

If you go to your death rather than do everything you might to prevent what is happening, you are merely committing suicide and trying to make yourself feel better about it. That is the act of a coward. It is beneath contempt.

When I started, I was pretty sure I was going to be writing some goofy little wizard novels that might make me some part-time money and would hopefully lead to something I could do better.

Many women have earned titles, Your Grace. It doesn't seem to have been a factor in whether or not they actually received them.

Seedy wasn't a fair description for the place, because seeds imply eventual regrowth and renewal.

[Mouse is] with us. The dog is a handicap-assist animal." The kid lifted his eyebrows. "My mouth is partially paralyzed," I said. "It makes it hard for me to rea. He's here to help me with the big words. Tell me if I'm supposed to push or pull on doors, that kind of thing.