I remember making that vow, the one not to forget. Not to remember what happened, but to remember who I was and how I felt.

I was a normal child. Which is to say, I was selfish and I was not entirely convinced of the existence of things that were not me, and I was certain, rock-solid, unshakeably certain, that I was the most important thing in creation. There was nothing that was more important to me than I was.

I really don't know what "I love you" means. I think it means "Don't leave me here alone.

Remember your name. Do not lose hope ---what you seek will be found.

Goodnight world. While I sleep, I hope you'll all continue to do whatever it is you do. Unless you murder sleeping authors. Don't do that.

Any way, death is so final, isn't it? "Is it?" asked Richard. "Sometimes," said the marquis de Carabas. And they went down.

On the whole, anything that gets you writing and keeps you writing is a good thing. Anything that stops you writing is a bad thing.