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.

We live in a dark time. Books are as dark as what is available to teenagers through the media every day.

Why do I get the feeling that if you give me a hard time, I'll tell all of our year-mates your family nickname is Meathead?

Dale: "No, no--curse it, Beka, you're the prickliest woman I've ever met!" Goodwin: "No, I am. But she comes very close, I have to say." — Dale Rowan and Clara Goodwin when Beka didn't want to accept money for being Dale's "luck

Curiosity killed the cat,” Fesgao remarked, his dark eyes unreadable. Aly rolled her eyes. Why did everyone say that to her? “People always forget the rest of the saying,” she complained. “‘And satisfaction brought it back.

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

I myself have noticed my growing resemblance to a daffodil.