I am a dash man and not a miler, and it is probable that I will never write a novel. So far the novels of this war have had too much of the strength, maturity and craftsmanship critics are looking for, and too little of the glorious imperfections whi...
I understand now that boundaries between noise and sound are conventions. All boundaries are conventions waiting to be transcended. One may transcend any convention if only one can first conceive of doing so. In moments like this, I can feel your hea...
So walk, or run if you can to your dreams. It doesn't matter if it's far or near. You can pause along the way but never stop, OK? Then hug it when you finally meet it! Embrace the moment. Love it and never let it go. Hold its opportunities and kiss i...
In science's pecking order, evolutionary biology lurks somewhere near the bottom, far closer to phrenology than to physics. For evolutionary biology is a historical science, laden with history's inevitable imponderables. We evolutionary biologists ca...
A short story is a sprint, a novel is a marathon. Sprinters have seconds to get from here to there and then they are finished. Marathoners have to carefully pace themselves so that they don't run out of energy (or in the case of the novelist-- ideas)...
I am the shee-it,” the adolescent said in a singsong voice. Then he swung around, smirking at the nearly five-thousand-year-old Egyptian vampire. “Who’s your daddy, M?” Far from being offended, Mencheres went over and flawlessly executed a st...
So I was ugly. I was never fat, really, and I never wore headgear or had zits or anything. But I was ugly. I don't even know how ugly and pretty get decided - maybe there's like a secret cabal of boys who meet in the locker room and decide who's ugly...
Way far back in the beginning of the world was the whirlwind warning that we could all be blown away like chips and cry- Men with tired eyes realize it now, and wait to deform and decay- with maybe they have the power of love yet in their hearts just...
I am far more of a loner than people would imagine. But I am the most gregarious and socially interactive loner you ever met. The thing is, I am fascinated by people's stories and I'm very talkative and can't ever say no to anything or anyone, so I t...
Cat: You probably think this world is a dream come true. But you're wrong. The other Wybie told me so. Coraline Jones: That's nonsense. He can't talk. Cat: Perhaps not to you. We cats, however, have far superior senses than humans, and can see and sm...
Lewis: This is the one! There she is. [Lewis pushes aside tree branches and we see the river for the first time] Ed: Looks good. Looks good. Lewis: [mournfully] Couple more months, and she'll all be gone. Bobby: [offscreen] Ed! Lewis! Ed: Even up as ...
Dr. Nefario: [a minion drinks from a bottle, starts floating] We've been working on this for a while now. It's an Anti-gravity serum. [the minion floats out an open skylight] Dr. Nefario: I meant to close that. He'll be alright, I'm sure. Gru: Do the...
[Frank is drunk at the cocktail party] Stan Fine: Frank is the luckiest guy in town! Frank Whitaker: It's all smoke and mirrors, fellas. That's all it is. You should see her without her face on. Doreen: Frank! Cathy Whitaker: No, he's absolutely righ...
Cameron: Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself. Ferris: A man with priorities so far out of whack doesn't deserve such a fine automobile. [Ferris caresses the car in admiration] Cameron: No. No! Apparently, you don't understand! Ferr...
Yazneg: [in Black Speech] The Dwarf-scum, Master... we lost them. Ambushed by Elvish filth, we were... Azog: I don't want excuses. I want the head of the Dwarf-king! Yazneg: There was nothing we could do! I barely escaped with my life! Azog: Far bett...
Joy Jordan: [singing] It seems the things I've wanted in my life I've never had. And so it's no surprise that living only leaves me sad. Happiness, where are you? I've searched so long for you. Happiness, what are you? I haven't got a clue. Happiness...
Edna: You need a new suit, that much is certain. Bob: A new suit? Well, where the heck am I gonna get a new suit? Edna: You can't! It's impossible! I'm far too busy, so ask me now before I can become sane. Bob: Wait? You want to make me a suit? Edna:...
Edna: Your boy's suit I designed to withstand enormous friction without heating up or wearing out, a useful feature. Your daughter's suit was tricky, but I finally created a sturdy material that can disappear completely as she does. Your suit can str...
Older Scout: [narrating] Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard of me fightin' any more. I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold in, the better off everybody would be. I soon for...
1900: I think land people waste a lot of time wondering why. Winter comes and can't wait for summer, summer comes and you never can wait for winter. That's why you never tire of traveling or chasing some place far away, where it's always summer. Does...
Zebulon Gant: [shouting loudly] Right, you little bastards! You will stand up straight or I will personally shit kick every far eastern buttock that appear before me eyes! Algren: Well done, sergeant. Zebulon Gant: When you understand the language, s...
