What did falling in love do for you? Can you ever really explain it? It filled empty spaces I never knew were empty. It cured a loneliness I never knew I had. It gave me joy. And freedom. I think that was the most amazing part. I suddenly felt both embraced and freed at the same time.

I've seen enough successful writers who no longer seem to care when they are recognized with an award, and I think that's just tragic.

A good novel is a good novel, pointe finale. And I think what I'm writing is exactly that.

Things are strongest where they're broken.

But, like peace, comfort didn't come from hiding away or running away. Comfort first demanded courage.

To be silent. In hopes of not offending, in hopes of being accepted. But what happened to people who never spoke, never raised their voices? Kept everything inside? Gamache knew what happened. Everything they swallowed, every word, thought, feeling rattled around inside, hollowing the person out. And into that chasm they stuffed their words, their rage.

Don't mistake dramatics for a conscience.