Donna Jo Napoli quotes:

A massive and brilliant accomplishment--the first English translation of the original Grimm brothers' fairy tales. The plain telling is that much more forceful for its simplicity and directness, particularly in scenes of naked self-concern and brutality. Hate, spite, love, magic, all self-evident, heartbreaking, delightful. I will return to this book over and over, no doubt about it.

Forgiveness is a little thing when love is there.

Some affixes are wildly promiscuous.

Summer comes over the hill like a hairy blanket.

Unfortunately, we're using the same language to talk about the language we'retalking about.

If you fall into water, you may still be saved. But if you fall down in literary matters, there is no life left for you.

Learning is not the accumulation of knowledge, but rather, one thing only: understanding

Or, in truth, eventually, though I still noticed, the callouses on my spirit prevented wounds (p.75).

And oh I want so much to sing, I tell myself no. But it is so hard to keep from singing.

Secrets could never be rushed. They had to come of their own accord, on their own schedule. That way ,when they came , the offered themselves as a gift.

I feel the stars. Each sparkle sets aflame the pain in my heart.

Writing isn't just on the page; it's voices in the reader's head. Read what you write out loud to someone-anyone-and you will catch all kinds of things.

I believe we have breaks because we need them. So my suggestion is that you take the break. Eat chocolate.

You have to live life if you're going to create believable lives on paper.