“Writing is like a sport - you only get better if you practice”

“The Olympians were a reminder that there was always someone better than you, so you shouldn't get a big head.”

“Beckendorf walked up with his helmet under his arm. 'She likes you, man.''Sure,' I muttered. 'She likes me for target practice.''Nah, they always do that. A girl starts trying to kill you, you know she's into you.'Makes a lot of sense.”

“Fair means everyone gets what they need. And the only way to get what you need is to make it happen yourself.”

“Don't you ever feel that way? Like you could do a better job if you rqan the world?''Um... no. Me running the world would be kind of a nightmare.”

“I tell aspiring writers that you have to find what you MUST write. When you find it, you will know, because the subject matter won’t let you go. It’s not enough to write simply because you think it would be neat to be published. You have to be compelled to write. If you’re not, nothing else that you do matters.”

“The older lady harrumphed. "I warned you, daughter. This scoundrel Hades is no good. You could've married the god of doctors or the god of lawyers, but noooo. You had to eat the pomegranate.""Mother-""And get stuck in the Underworld!""Mother, please-""And here it is August, and do you come home like you're supposed to? Do you ever think about your poor lonely mother?""DEMETER!" Hades shouted. "That is enough. You are a guest in my house.""Oh, a house is it?" she said. "You call this dump a house? Make my daughter live in this dark, damp-""I told you," Hades said, grinding his teeth, "there's a war in the world above. You and Persephone are better off here with me.""Excuse me," I broke in. "But if you're going to kill me, could you just get on with it?”