My stories usually begin with the characters and some elements of how power (personal, political, magical) functions in the world. The rest develops as I write, and research helps a great deal with that. If you're going to write about an agrarian economy, research agrarian economies. If your main character is starving, then you should know what it means for a malnourished body to break down.

Don't wish for bricks when you can build from stone.

What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.

I like to have powerful enemies. Makes me feel important.

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

You and I are going to change the world.

Na razrusha'ya. I am not ruined. E'ya razrushost. I am ruination.