I don't want a tombstone. You could carve on it 'She never actually wanted a tombstone.'

Happy is what you realize you are a fraction of a second before it's too late.

Every great narrative is at least two narratives, if not more - the thing that is on the surface and then the things underneath which are invisible.

Books mean all possibilities. They mean moving out of yourself, losing yourself, dying of thirst and living to your full. They mean everything.

I wouldn't call my work Modernist. I would rust if I try to think about labels. I'd feel like the Tin Man in 'The Wizard of Oz.

To be known so well by someone is an unimaginable gift. But to be imagined so well by someone is even better.

Oh. To be filled with goodness then shattered by goodness, so beautifully mosaically fragmented by such shocking goodness.

Stella Duffy is a writer who never lets you down.

Do you come to art to be comforted, or do you come to art to be re-skinned?

We'd never expect to understand a piece of music on one listen, but we tend to believe we've read a book after reading it just once.

Short stories consume you faster. They're connected to brevity. With the short story, you are up against mortality. I know how tough they are as a form, but they're also a total joy.

Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea.

We are limited only by our unwillingness to take action.

Go spend time with the aspen trees. They'll tell you how it works. They'll tell you to look to your roots for energy. They'll tell you there's warmth below the surface.

Mel exhaled. "Why are you forcing me into the voice-of-reason role? You know that never works out for us.

The Patch I knew didn't run from anyone.

I think situations are more important than plot and character.

You'd be surprised how little I knew even up to yesterday

I’ve always taught pitch selection, but I just want my guys to be aggressive on their pitch.

Wherever a cat sits, there shall happiness be found.

I was always told from the hat-makers that you should have your hair up because it shows the hat more. It feels more 'done' when your hair is up.