It is possible to have words come to your mind, and still refrain from speaking them aloud.

So let me tell you what I think about gods. I think a real god is not going to be so scared or angry that he tries to keep other people down…A real god doesn’t care about control. A real god already has control of everything that needs controlling. Real gods would want to teach you how to be just like them.

And then he thought: Is this how idiots rationalize their stupidity to themselves?

Every person is defined by the communities she belongs to.

When there aren't any smart decisions, I suppose you just have to pick the stupid decision you like best.

I carry the seeds of death within me and plant them wherever I linger long enough to love.

...You believe that the kind of story you want to tell might be best received by the science fiction and fantasy audience. I hope you're right, because in many ways this is the best audience in the world to write for. They're open-minded and intelligent. They want to think as well as feel, understand as well as dream. Above all, they want to be led into places that no one has ever visited before. It's a privilege to tell stories to these readers, and an honour when they applaud the tale you tell.