Up to this point your life has pretty much sucked. You’re not responsible for that. But you are responsible for what happens from here on.

Every writer has to figure out what works best - and often has to select and discard different tools before they find the one that fits.

She's in love, and that makes her strong. She'll need to be." "What makes you strong, Mia?" "Purpose. Love never worked for me.

She gazed toward the marsh that grew thicker, deeper, greener with approaching summer. Mosquitoes whined in there, breeding in the dark water. Alligators slid through it, silent death. It was a place where snakes could slither and bogs could suck the shoe right off your foot. And it was a place, she thought, that went bright and beautiful with the twinkling of fireflies, where wildflowers thrived in the shade and the stingy light. Where an eagle could soar like a king. There was no beauty without risk. No life without it.

Don't give up on your own happy-evers.

Why are you always smiling? What do you know?

I had the blood and fire rule when my boys were young. You know, unless it's blood or fire, don't bother me.