If you've a story, make sure it's a whole one, with details close to hand. It's the difference between a good lie and getting caught.

Waves are the voices of tides. Tides are life," murmured Niko. "They bring new food for shore creatures, and take ships out to sea. They are the ocean's pulse, and our own heartbeat.

Don't you ever get tired of asking questions?' 'Never. They're mother's milk to me.

She has teeth like stars and hair like sheep fuzz

You have an audience that is fairly well grounded in the real world. You serve them and yourself best by making everything as real as possible.

I was stark raving mad, and my family was too polite to mention it. That's what living with the Yamanis does to people. They get so well-mannered they won't mention you're crazy.

You know, ogres only sound stupid. Most are pretty smart." "And it's a shallow person who judges anyone by the way they sound. I'm so shallow I'm surprised I don't reflect myself.