Quotes from Patricia C. Wrede

In a lot of ways I was a generation ahead of my generation; I had a working mother wheneveryone else's mother was staying at home.

He wasn't a medical doctor, just educated all the way up as far as you can get.

I'd rather be eaten by a dragon.

Many, if not most, of the best and most lasting children's books have multiple levels, some of which are not fully accessible to their most likely readers…at least, not on their first read-through at age eight or ten or fifteen.

Murphy is a writer's best friend, but you have to keep an eye on him, or he'll steal the silver.

Brant's an idealist, and he's competent. There are few more dangerous combinations in this world... Heroes are even more dangerous than idealists.

How can you know it's the best, if you don't learn about anything else?

Very well. You may help me to exterminate the society of wizards.

May you and your triple cursed wash water turn purple with orange spots and fall down a bottomless pit!

Rennie didn't quite dare to answer back, but she looked a whole book and a couple of extra chapters.

I see you've decided to take my advice after all, Richard." Lady Wendall's amused voice said from somewhere above and behind him. "Marrying your ward is *exactly* the sort of usual scandal I had in mind: I wonder it didn't occur to me before.

Nothing you will object to," James replied in a soothing tone. I cannot think how he came to imagine that he would know what I might or might not object to.

You mean he thinks I'm going to get MORE offers?" Kim said, appalled. "He doesn't seem to be the only one that thinks so." Mairelon said. "Aunt Agatha mentioned it to me yesterday afternoon. Is there anyone, or would you rather I turn the lot of them away?" Kim shook her head. "There isn't anyone." Except you.

But he isn't my lover, or my fiancé, or my boyfriend or anything, and I refuse to be killed with him.

Four of us,' said Morwen. The cats yowled. 'Yes, I know, and of course you're coming, but you can't carry a bucket of soapy water, so for the purposes of this discussion it doesn't matter,' she told them. The cats gave her an affronted look, turned their backs, and began making indignant little noises at each other.

The ceremony went by in a blur, but Mendanbar was pretty sure he hadn't made any mistakes because suddenly he was kissing Cimorene and everyone was cheering. He felt like cheering himself, except he would have had to stop kissing Cimorene.

She who laughs last may not invariably laugh best, but she does laugh.

He doesn't seem very impressed," Cimorene commented in some amusement. "Why should he be?" Kazul said. "Well, you're a dragon," Cimorene answered, a little taken aback. "What difference does that make to a cat?

I am determined to have the headache Thursday, if I have to hit myself with a rock to do it.

Tis my will that thou and he shall die by my hand. Thou hast but to choose the manner of thy death." "Old age," Cimorene said promptly. "Mock

Cecy, I do think it is unfair. People in novels are fainting all the time, and I never can, no matter how badly I need to.

Buckets,' said Cimorene. 'Lots of buckets, and soap, and lemon juice. Where do you keep your buckets, Mendanbar?' 'Around somewhere,' Mendanbar said vaguely.

Kim lifted the lid. Inside, on a small pillow covered in white velvet, lay a gold sunburst the size of her thunbnail, hung on a delicate chain. It looked a little like the first spell she had ever cast, a small explosion of light re-created in metal, and she was not really surprised to find the card with the single word "Mairelon" scrawled across it.

She probably enjoys cutting up everyone's happiness. Not to mention cutting up other parts of people; given her penchant for poisoning people and turning them into beech trees, I fail to see how she has reached thirty without leaving a trail of bodies behind her.