“Don’t simply exist in this world, but grasp life’s potential by the jacket. Dare it to be all it can. Make life historical—a gripping account of accomplishment. Make life a mystery—a challenging, bold adventure. Make life heartfelt—an enduring, poetic romance. Whatever it is you make of your world, live the fairy tale.”

“Vanity, in a fairy tale, will make you evil. Vanity in the real world will drive you nuts. Vanity makes you say things like “I deserved a better life than this.”

“One of my heroes, G.K. Chesterton, said, "The old fairy tales endure forever. The old fairy tale makes the hero a normal human boy; it is his adventures that are startling; they startle him because he is normal." Discovering that the modern world can still contain the wonder and strangeness of a fairy tale is part of what my novels are about.”

“My life is over.""I believe your life can be whatever you want to make of it." I lifted my chin defiantly, daring him to challenge me. "Is that how it works? Well then, I want my life to be a big, giant, keg party.”

“Fairy tales are make believe and reality sucks, but I happen to live in both worlds.”

“Whatever your financial status in life, or whatever work you do, know that you can make a significant contribution to your family and world by doing small things with great love.”