“When your afraid, really afraid, you see things you never saw before, you pay attention to the world.”

“It’s a hard thing to explain to somebody who hasn’t felt it, but the presence of death and danger has a way of bringing you fully awake. It makes things vivid. When you’re afraid, really afraid, you see things you never saw before, you pay attention to the world. You make close friends. You become part of a tribe and you share the same blood- you give it together, you take it together.”

“Don't for heaven's sake, be afraid of talking nonsense! But you must pay attention to your nonsense.”

“Bad things open your eyes to the good things you weren’t paying attention to before.”

“The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren’t paying attention to before.”

“Don't be afraid to be the new kid on the block. Pay attention and respect the more seasoned writers around you, but when you are ready to jump into the fire just remember to wear fire- retardant pajamas.”