And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it.

They were close to the end of the beginning . . .

I want to engage the reader. I'm an emotional writer, in the sense that I would be happy if you re-read a book for the intellectual or the mental part of it, but, the first time, I just like to reach out and grab you, pull you in.

There may be fairies, there may be elves, but God helps those who help themselves.

Above, the stars shone hard and bright, sparks struck off the dark skin of the universe.

For me, good description usually consists of a few well-chosen details that will stand for everything else.

Talent is a dreadfully cheap commodity, cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work and study; a constant process of honing. Talent is a dull knife that will cut nothing unless it is wielded with great force.