“The only advice I can give you is what you're telling yourself. Only, maybe you're too scared to listen.”

“you got a story to tell, and you are the only one who can tell it. Don't give up!”

“Some hats can only be worn if you're willing to be jaunty, to set them at an angle and to walk beneath them with a spring in your stride as if you're only a step away from dancing. They demand a lot of you.”

“The only thing that kept me going was stories. Stories are hope. They take you out of yourself for a bit, and when you get dropped back in, you're different- you're stronger, you've seen more, you've felt more. Stories are like spiritual currency.”

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

“Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.”

“I think if you decide that any book is about Only One Thing you're probably wrong. Even if that thing is in there.”