“If we are exhorted to play simple melodies with beauty rather than difficult ones with error, the same should be applied to writing; simple words greater effect.”

“Humans are probably the only creatures who know that they will die. They know for certain and yet they keep going. A resilient spirit and a need to survive does not make for cowardice.Salma to Merrick in Simple Conversation”

“When I write, I am gossiping. Writing to whisper the story, whether good or bad to my listener.”

“I go silent so I can write. When my tongue is wagging my fingers are silent.”

“When I get tired of new clunky writing, I resort to old fashioned story tellers, like Wilkie Collins.”

“It is not where we are that matters nor what we have, it is what we do with where we are and what we have.”

“Nothing is more egregious than greedy politicians.”