I don't think the 'what' distinguishes a good novel from a bad one but rather the 'how.'

I've come to look upon death the same way I look upon root-canal work. Everyone else seems to get through it all right, so it couldn't be too difficult for me.

All through the night, men looked at the sky and were saddened by the stars.

Now you've given them hope, and they're unhappy. So the blame is all yours.

mankind is resilient: the atrocities that horrified us a week ago become acceptable tomorrow.

I am miracle ingredient Z-247. I'm immense. I'm a real, slam-bang, honest-to-goodness, three-fisted humdinger. I'm a bona fide supraman.

I can't start writing until I have a closing line.