“I think writer is a word without gender, and a good writer observes, absorbs, hopefully empathizes then translates that into character and story.You don’t have to do or be or have experienced, traveled to, but you have to imagine all of that, very well–and believe it completely during the bubble of the work.”

“Well, Ms. Fontaine, you look damn good for a dead woman."Her response was to narrow her eyes, arch a brow. "If that's some sort of cop humor, I'm afraid you'll have to translate.”

“You look great, Senator.I think I could get used to seeing you wet and naked." Lazily she dipped back to float. "If you ever decide to ditch politics, I imagine you could have a successful career as a lifeguard at a nude beach.""It's always good to have something to fall back on.”

“Traveling,he thought.Yes, she was traveling-away from him just as fast as she could.Oh,you deserve it, Campbell, he berated himself. You deserve to have her skip out of your life without a backward glance.”

“Abby: "You were great. I don't know what I'd have done without you."Dylan: "You'd have done fine. That's one of the most intimidating things about you." Abby: "Intimidating? Me?"Dylan: "It isn't easy for a man to get involved with a woman who's totally capable of handling anything that comes along... It isn't easy for a man to believe that there are woman who can not only do those things but enjoy them... [But] it's all natural for you isn't it? It's incredible.”

“But it isn't easy to find the right person. It would have to be someone good with kids and horses, and ho'd be able to pitch in with the administrating to some extent and wouldn't quibble about shoving manure.Plus I'd have to be able to depend on them, and get along with them. And they'd have to be diplomatic with parents, which is often the trickiest part."Travis picked up his soft drink again. "I might be able to point you in the right direction there.""Oh? Listen, Dad, I appreciate it, but you know, a friend of a friend or the son or daughter of an aquaintance. That kind of thing gets very sticky if it doesn't work out.""Actually, I was thinking of someone a little closer to home.Your mother.""Ma?" With a half laugh, Keeley sat again. "Ma doesn't want this headache, even if she had time for it.""Shows what you know." Smug now, he drank. "Just mention it to her, casually. I won't say a word about it.”

“Every time I hear writers talk about ‘the muse,’ I just want to bitch-slap them. It’s a job. Do your job.”