“You cherry-pick events that are relevant to the story question and construct a gauntlet of challenge (read: the plot) that will force the protagonist to put his money where his mouth is. Think baptism by ever-escalating fire.”

“Ready to put your claws where your mouth is, or are you going to cringe behind the big boys and yip all day?"His eyes flared yellow "Is that a challenge?""Yes it is.”

“After awhile you realize that putting your actions where your mouth is makes you less likely to have to put your money where your mouth is.”

“Can Protagonist think of a single film that interests him as much as the three-hundredth best book he ever read?”

“Do you ever get moods when life seems absolutely meaningless? It's like a badly-constructed story, with all sorts of characters moving in and out who have nothing to do with the plot. And when somebody comes along that you think really has something to do with the plot, he suddenly drops out. After a while you begin to wonder what the story is about, and you feel that it's about nothing—just a jumble.”

“Beware of those who would pay you lip service but refuse to put their money where their mouths are.”