“Cut off the dead wood before it kills the tree.' If you have friends who backstab you, get rid of them now before they hurt you.”

“All I'm saying is that I understand if the novelty's worn off and you want to get off the carousel ride now before it kills you.”

“You have to kill a lot of trees before you write anything good.”

“That was before I saw the look on your face when you heard what everyone’s saying. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.”“You would never do anything to hurt me.”“I’d rather cut off my arm,” he sighed.”

“That is what you have to do before you kill, I thought. You have to create an it, where none was before. ”

“I dialed it now, and the machine picked up. I listened to a dead man's voice. I hung up, wondering how long it would be before someone unplugged the machine, how long before the telephone company cut off the phone service.You don't die all at once. Not anymore. These days you die a little at a time.”