Author Quotes

There's always going to be comparisons, and that's unavoidable. There are people out there who feel I hit my peak with Magician and have gone downhill since.

There were two things going on: 1) I had already established in my own mind where I wanted to go with the next series, and having James around as a Grey Eminence would have complicated matters. He had had an amazing life and it was time to bid him good-bye.

One of the key issues will be personal honour vs. the good of the many, and unforeseen consequences.

One likes to think one grows as a writer as one ages, else all you get is an 'old' young writer. Beyond that is the changing landscape of the universe and the stories I choose to tell.

Often I'll try things that just won't happen the way I'd like them to, so hearing that they're not working saves me some wear and tear the next time around.

Neal had a couple of good ideas and they fit nicely, so that's the way I decided to go.

Jigsaw Lady is the working title of a science fiction novel I've had in my head for darn near 15 years. I think I'll start work on it next year (in all my spare time) but I'd like to get it finished some day.

In the end, my reasons for moving down the timeline and introducing a new cast have more to do with keeping myself entertained, on the assumption that if I get bored, my readers are going to be even more bored.

If I leave my computer, I'm probably not going to get back for hours. If I take a few minutes to answer questions and go web surfing, then guilt kicks in and I get back to work.

I'm a huge fan of Cabernet and Bordeaux, and am passionate about Pinot Noir and Burgundies.

Also, it's risky to try to duplicate earlier success. Magician had a certain charm to it, mostly due to my choice of lead characters, that I would be hard put to duplicate.

You can only have one first born child. You may love all your children deeply and with passion, but there is something unique about the first born.

Writing is hard work; it's also the best job I've ever had.

The issue of the Betrayal was so central to that, I felt the need to comment upon it. My choices were to ignore the games and put them 'outside' of continuity or to integrate them. I chose the latter.

A man must not deny his manifest abilities, for that is to evade his obligations.

Don't let ambition get so far ahead that it loses sight of the job at hand.

An idea isn't worth much until a man is found who has the energy and ability to make it work.

One of the indictments of civilizations is that happiness and intelligence are so rarely found in the same person.

Every social injustice is not only cruel, but it is economic waste.

Here is the secret of inspiration: Tell yourself that thousands and tens of thousands of people, not very intelligent and certainly no more intelligent than the rest of us, have mastered problems as difficult as those that now baffle you.

Finishing a good book is like leaving a good friend.

Books open your mind, broaden your mind, and strengthen you as nothing else can.

An invitation to a wedding invokes more trouble than a summons to a police court.

Setting a good example for your children takes all the fun out of middle age.

Early morning cheerfulness can be extremely obnoxious.

One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute.

Most of us regard good luck as our right, and bad luck as a betrayal of that right.

He isn't a real boss until he has trained subordinates to shoulder most of his responsibilities.

Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim.

Beware of the person who can't be bothered by details.