Quotes from Patricia MacLachlan

Some words may make you happy, some may make you sad. Maybe some will make you angry. What I hope. . . what I hope is that something will whisper in your ear.

That's a nice car you have," said Aunt Lou, looking out the window. "Would you like a ride?" asked Dr. Sam. "I would," said Aunt Lou. "Don't, under any circumstances, let her drive," Grandfather whispered to Dr. Sam.

That night Aunt Mattie gave me a box wrapped in bright paper. "What is it?" I asked. "Open it," she said. "I made it for you. There's so much fuss for Anna that I was afraid you'd get lost." Caleb put his arm around me. "Cassie? Cassie's never lost. Except maybe in her head," he said.

Out of our writer mouths Will come clouds Rising to the sky Dropping rain words below. And when the clouds leave The sun will shine down word After word After word Planting our stories in the earth. —Russell

Where's Cassie, Caleb? Is she asleep?" asked Sarah. Grandfather smiled. He leaned over and took Cassie's foot, sticking out from under the daybed. "I found you, Cassie," he whispered. "I found you.

You came during an early snowstorm

SO FOUR DOGS AND A CAT

Beatrice," said Grandfather softly. "Don't really see how Beatrice can have a name when her mother doesn't have one." "I think her name is Beatrice's Mother," said Mama. "What kind of a name is that?" asked Grandfather. "It's what we've got," said Mama with a smile.

I'm not sure sheep are known for their good sense," he said. "Beatrice is unusual," I said. The goslings saw Mama and ran over. "Madeleine, I believe you're going to be the largest of the three of you," said Mama. "And you, Margaret Louise, will always be the runt." "Small and lovely, you mean," said Grandfather.

You know," said Mama, "I'm going to go inside and rest. I feel tired." "I'll come in, too," I said. "I'll be in the barn," said Grandfather. "I'll come in later for a piece of cake." "Cakes don't last forever," said Mama. "Not with Grandfather around," I said.

There is always something to miss, no matter where you are.

You will have a story in there. . . or a character, a place, a poem, a moment in time. When you find it, you will write it. Word after word after word after word.

Sometimes, what people choose to write down on paper is more important than what they say." Caleb didn't know what Sarah meant. But I knew. I wrote in my journal every night. And when I read what I had written, I could see myself there, clearer than when I looked in the mirror. I could see all of us: Papa, who couldn't always say the things he felt; Caleb, who said everything; and Sarah, who didn't know that she had changed us all.

My greatest fear is being somewhere without a book.

I, myself, write to change my life, to make it come out the way I want it to. But other people write for other reasons: to see more closely what it is they are thinking about, what they may be afraid of. Sometimes writers write to solve a problem, to answer their own question. All these reasons are good reasons. And that is the most important thing I'll ever tell you. Maybe it is the most important thing you'll ever hear. Ever.

Fact and fiction are different truths.

Sometimes poetry--words--give us a small, lovely look at ourselves. And sometimes that is enough.

Some words may make you happy, some may make you said. Maybe some will make you angry. What I hope. . . what I hope is that something will whisper in your ear.

Life is made up of circles.

there are some things for which there are no answers, no matter how beautiful the words may be.

There are always things to miss," said Maggie. "No matter where you are.

Writing... is ... brave. You are brave.

Sadness is Steam rising Tears falling A breath you take in But can't let out As hard as you try.

I want most of all for you to forgive Grandfather. I want you to forgive Grandfather so I can grow up and be just like you.