Pea was aware suddenly of how fragile her heart was, how much darkness was inside it, fighting, always, with the light. She did not like the rat. She would neverlike the rat, but she knew what she must do to save her own heart.

There is no right or wrong way to tell a story. You have to find your own way. You can get your idea from listening, looking, or imagining. Stories are everywhere. All you have to do is pay attention.

I have been loved, Edward told the stars. So? said the stars. What difference does that make when you are all alone now?

I thought I was going nowhere. Now I can see there was a pattern.

It seems to be that way with most things. No one to do the really disagreeable jobs except oneself.

I grew up in Florida, and I wanted to go home and I couldn't. I didn't have the money. The book [The Tiger Rising] was a way to go home.

Allow me to congratulate you on your very astute powers of observation.