All great literary works influence us as writers, not their stories as much as their storytelling ability.

Villains often more the story along while the heros react to the villains, so the villain becomes the engine of the story.

we are nothing more than the sum of our memories and experiences

The strong survive, but the courageous triumph.

OK," Josh said evenly, "I've seen men made of mud, I guess I can accept spying rats. Do they talk?" he wondered aloud. Don't be ridiculous," Flamel snapped, "They're rats." Josh really didn't think it was a ridiculous suggestion.

And Prometheus was flying directly toward them. William Shakespeare shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Now, I've never been a warrior,and I know little about tactics,but shouldn't we be flying in the other direction?" They were close enough now to see the wide-eyed anpu in the nearest craft. "We will," Prometheus said. "Just as soon as the missiles explode." "Which missiles?" Shakespeare asked. "The two just behind us.

The fifth force was the magic of Time, the greatest of all the magics.