Plot is a map and I begin with it. It is what made me admire the novels of the 19th century; that the stories are foreshadowed. TheyÕre going someplace.

O God — please give him back! I shall keep asking You.

She sat keenly white and still among them, a witness to everything--maybe determining nothing, possibly judging it all.

Don't forget this, too: Rumors aren't interested in the unsensational story; rumors don't care what's true.

I think that was when the headmaster realized he had lost; he realized then that he was finished. Because, what could he do? Was he going to tell us to stop praying? We kept our heads bowed; and we kept praying. Even as awkward as he was, the Rev. Mr. Merrill had made it clear to us that there was no end to praying for Owen Meany.

Kids are beautiful, man. And they know much more than grownups think they know. Kids are just perfect people until grownups get their hands on them.

If you feel strongly about people having abortions, don't have one.