In more static societies, like Ireland, you can tell where a person is from by their surname, or where their grandparents are from.

People do not change, they are merely revealed.

Only bad writers think that their work is really good.

Write whatever way you like. Fiction is made of words on a page; reality is made of something else. It doesn't matter how "real" your story is, or how "made up": what matters is its necessity.

God, I hate my family, these people I never chose to love, but love all the same.

We do not always like the people we love- we do not always have that choice.

I have no place left to live but in my own heart.

The way to write a book is to actually write a book. A pen is useful, typing is also good. Keep putting words on the page.

I’m really lucky with the people around me. They know me, so they don’t confuse the issues really. They know what a book is and they know who I am and they know the difference between the two.

There are men who would do anything, asleep, and I'm not sure what stops them when they wake. I do not know how they draw the line.

Description is hard. Remember that all description is an opinion about the world. Find a place to stand.

The author deduces the best way James Baker serve Reagan as Chief of Staff was to continually remind him why he wanted to be president.

The creative urge is the demon that will not accept anything second rate.

I'm Irish and I was born on St. Patrick's Day. I'm lucky sevens.

The day I notice a cyclist obey a stop sign is the day I'll stop enjoying watching them bounce off my hood.

Let us render the tyrant no aid; let us not hold the light by which he can trace the footprints of our flying brother.

We do have a zeal for laughter in most situations, give or take a dentist.

We will also be funding projects that empower women and children in Afghanistan and now and then give scholarships to Afghan students here in the Bay Area.

I love seeing my teammates succeed. That's what I get more excited about than anything

Being a scientist is like being an explorer. You have this immense curiosity, this stubbornness, this resolute will that you will go forward no matter what other people say.

I hate being forced to do things. I hate people telling me what to do, so I'll do the complete opposite. It's a bit self-destructive sometimes.