The thing about science fiction is that it's totally wide open. But it's wide open in a conditional way.

When your rage is choking you, it is best to say nothing.

Here I was into astronomy, and here into anthropology, and there I go into geology. It was much more fun to be able to research and write about whatever I wanted to.

No... a novel is a long business. I'm a slow writer, even when I'm doing very well I write slowly.

Slavery was a long slow process of dulling.

We need the stars... We need purpose! We need the image the Destiny to take root among the stars gives us of ourselves as a purposeful, growing species. We need to become the adult species that the Destiny can help us become! If we're to be anything other than smooth dinosaurs who evolve, specialize and die, we need the stars.... When we have no difficult, long-term purpose to strive toward, we fight each other. We destroy ourselves. We have these chaotic, apocalyptic periods of murderous craziness.

I have a huge and savage conscience that won't let me get away with things.