Quotes from Tamora Pierce

I've written short stories in first person, but you have so much more control writing in third person. Third person, you know what everybody's thinking. First person is very limiting, and I could never sustain a first person novel before.

I was nuts for stuff in the Middle Ages when I was just in the third and fourth grades.

Either i've turned stupid, or life's turned hard.

free time is an illusion. It's what you get when you die and the gods reward you for a life spent working from dawn until midnight.

Reflect as if you have all of time, even when time is short.

You didn't kill him. He would have killed you, but you didn't kill him." "So? He was stupid. If I killed everyone who was stupid, I wouldn't have time to sleep.

Why do I get the feeling that if you give me a hard time, I'll tell all of our year-mates your family nickname is Meathead?

We live in a dark time. Books are as dark as what is available to teenagers through the media every day.

If her rump were any stiffer, she'd break it every time she rides', I thought to Pounce. 'If she fell on the steps, they would never be able to put her together again', he replied.

I think it's fair rude to make him a tree and not know what kind he is.

As I recall, this word's use means somewhere there is a tree that is now a - a two-legger. -Numair Salmalin

Your life might be easier if you were. A fool for love is happier than a Dog with a heart that's all leather.

Most important of all, there is no right or wrong way to write - there's only what works for you. I was taught to write every day, but I know a writer (a bestseller at that!) who only writes on weekends.

"I love you, Jonathan," she whispered. A long arm snaked around her, and he pulled her against his side. "I know," he said. "I just wanted to be sure you knew it, too."

Never break a promise to an animal. They're like babies—they won't understand.

Does your ma know you're this silly? she demanded tartly. He nodded, comically sad. The few gray hairs she has on her head are my doing. But — with an exaggerated change of mood — I send her plenty of money, so she can pay to have them dyed! I hope she beat you as a child, Onua grumbled.

I'd like to find whoever taught the Stump that extra work builds character and push him down the stairs, Neal told Kel at lunch.

I love you, if you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you.

Why, I'm just as true and honest as dirt. And I'm even more charming than dirt.

You are a terrifying creature, the Voice told her solemnly. You do not take your place in your father's tent, letting men make your decisions for you. You ride as a man, you fight as a man, and you think as a man -- I think as a human being, she retorted hotly. Men don't think any differently from women -- they just make more fuss about being able to.

Do you know, sire, I think that if we live to tell our grandchildren about this war, they will accuse us of making it up.' -Marielle

I'm sick of this. Call me what you like, say I'm without honor, I don't care. I'm not getting on any more horses to whack you people with a stick.

You know, ogres only sound stupid. Most are pretty smart. And it's a shallow person who judges anyone by the way they sound. I'm so shallow I'm surprised I don't reflect myself.

But, Sergeant Osbern, Sir, I like my head.