Writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles. Shannon Hale More Quotes by Shannon Hale More Quotes From Shannon Hale But, how do you know if an ending is truly good for the characters unless you've traveled with them through every page? Shannon Hale traveled pages character I do like the world quite a lot. Shannon Hale world You are my butterfly and refuse to set you free. Shannon Hale refuse butterfly freedom Even the jerks earn some of our affection. We can be glad they're gone and yet still mourn the good parts. Shannon Hale heartfelt divorce gone ... If we don't tell strange stories, when something strange happens we won't believe it. Shannon Hale strange-stories happens believe Being a writer is a good, good thing. Shannon Hale good-things Many times I have learned that, you never judge a book by its cover. Like people, it is the inside that counts. Shannon Hale judging book people Mama used to say, you have to know someone a thousand days before you can glimpse her soul. Shannon Hale glimpse soul wisdom I think the only way to get through this life is laughing hard and constantly, mostly at myself. Shannon Hale laughing way thinking The rewrites are a struggle right now. Sometimes I wish writing a book could just be easy for me at last. But when I think about it practically, I am glad it's a struggle. I am (as usual) attempting to write a book that's too hard for me. I'm telling a story I'm not smart enough to tell. The risk of failure is huge. But I prefer it this way. I'm forced to learn, forced to smarten myself up, forced to wrestle. And if it works, then I'll have written something that is better than I am. Shannon Hale smart struggle book All I've ever wanted was to be near you. Shannon Hale wanted romantic I know I would crumble if I lost you. Shannon Hale knows lost romantic For Colin Firth: You're a really great guy, but I'm married, so I think we should just be friends. Shannon Hale married guy thinking You, what are you? The brat of lucky parents who were related to a childless king. There is no such thing as royal blood. I believe we are what we make ourselves, and as such, you, Crown Princess, are nothing. Shannon Hale princess kings believe The book smelled dusty and old but also carried a sweet tang, a hint of something inviting. She opened to the first page and started to read, pronouncing the words in a reverent whisper. Shannon Hale hints sweet book I, Geric-Sinath of Gerhard, declare that you're beautiful and you're perfect and I'll slay any man who tries to take you from my side. Goose girl, may I kiss you? Shannon Hale kissing girl beautiful I don't know how you persist in being so stubborn-" "It's a superpower. I was bitten by a radioactive mule. Shannon Hale mules persist stubborn I keep thinking about a tale my nurse used to read to me about a bird whose wings are pinned to the ground. In the end, when he finally frees himself, he flies so high he becomes a star. My nurse said the story was about how we all have something that keeps us down. Shannon Hale stars wings thinking Look no farther than your hand, Make a choice and take a stand. Shannon Hale choices hands looks It was karma, it was kismet, it was magic. It doesn't matter how it happened, just that it did. Shannon Hale karma magic matter