01UndatedI essentially killed those men. Am I slated for hell?"He stepped to me. Put his fingers underneath my chin. Raised it until our gazes locked. "You're a god, Dutch. And the reaper. You don't get slated. You are the slate.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
02UndatedSo, where are you from?" Agent Carson asked Reyes. "Originally?"I whirled around to face him again, this time pinning him with a warning glare. Carson was an FBI agent, but I was all about stealth. Surely she wouldn't pick up on my silent threat.He studied my mouth, not the least bit worried about my warning glare, then said at last, "Here and tDarynda Jones / quote ↗
03UndatedYou still owe me a million dollars." I'd presented him with a bill for proving his innocence and getting him freed from prison. He had yet to pay. Couldn't imagine why."Yeah, I was hoping we could work that out.""The interest alone is going to kill you.""What do you charge?""Three hundred eighty-seven percent.""Is that ethical?""It's as ethical as my dating the son of Satan.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
04UndatedA lot of people are alive because I shed too much hair to get away with murder.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
05UndatedHow old are you, anyway?""How old are you?""Seventeen."I raise a brow."Almost. I'll be seventeen in two weeks. You?"Part of me doesn't want to tell her. She'll be horrified. But part of me wants to know what she will do when she knows the truth. "How old do you think I am?"She lifts a slender shoulder. "At first I thought maybe eighteen, but now I'm thinking at least nineteen. Maybe even twenty?""why's that?""You seem very ... experienced."I nod. "You're close. Today's my birthday. I'm thirteen.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
06UndatedThe point is, stories can be all lengths. Never underestimate the power of “less is more.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
07UndatedNever wait for your muse. Train him/her to show up to work when you do by pushing on. It's a dominant submission thing.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
08UndatedWriting is transcendental. It is a form of expression, a form of art that you can take anywhere. That you can do anywhere. It poses the deepest questions in the universe. It generates emotion. It elicits empathy, promotes learning, creates an intellect you simply cannot get from any other medium. For me, it is air.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
09UndatedWriting doesn’t get any easier with time or talent. If writing is easy for you, you’re probably still learning the craft. You haven’t perfected your style or landed upon your “voice.” You haven’t learned to analyze your writing with a critical eye, to rip it apart and figure out why it isn’t doing exactly what you want.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
10UndatedYou know?” he asked.“Yes. I know what I am.”“You – you do?”“I’m a time traveler.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
11UndatedI am apparently the complete opposite of a sociopath. (Seriously. I took a test.) WHEW! #dodgedabulletDarynda Jones / quote ↗
13UndatedThere is a difference between fresh and weird. You never want to throw your reader out of the story. Keep it fresh but natural.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
14UndatedHumor is so subjective, not everyone is going to get what you are peddling. Others will be offended when what you meant no offense whatsoever. Those are the stakes. You have to be able to stand up for yourself and what you’ve written. Comedy pushes limits, makes people uncomfortable, and is a natural reaction to the environment. Otherwise, as I said, it is forced. Let it flow and give your characters permission to cross a line or two, but only if you can take the heat afterward.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
15UndatedI cannot tell you how important fresh, crisp writing is for an aspiring writer. Plot is great. The overall concept is super important. But the writing is what sells your work. It all boils down to the words you choose and the order in which you arrange them.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
17UndatedIn that one, they'd done their darnedest to destroy Riley's Switch. This time, instead of two-by-fours and tire irons, they seemed a little more focused on choke holds and knees to the face. Their desire to be close to each other was sweet.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
18UndatedWe all have a certain knowledge about how the universe works. And when someone comes along and challenges that knowledge, we don’t know how to deal with it. We aren’t hardwired that way. It’s difficult to question everything you’ve ever thought to be true. So, like I said, it’s not your fault. You can believe me or not, but whichever you choose, you’re the one who has to deal with the consequences. So make your decision wisely, grasshopper,Darynda Jones / quote ↗
19UndatedDoes he ever eat cotton candy for breakfast?"He stepped around the counter to face us, lowered his gaze, and took a sip from the black mug in his hands."No," I said. "He's very much like the Big Bad Wolf. He eats little girls for breakfast."He spoke from behind the cup, his voice deep and as smooth as butterscotch. "She's wrong. I eat big girls for breakfast.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
20UndatedRead. Write. Read some more. Explore the universe through your writing. Practice and learn what moves you and what doesn't.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
21UndatedWHILE writing, just try to have fun with your ms. Enjoy the process, but push on. Always push toward the finish line!Darynda Jones / quote ↗
22UndatedAny time a beloved character is killed off, it affects the audience in a very powerful way, especially in a series.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
23UndatedI've been rejected a hundred times. It just takes that one person who totally believes in you!Darynda Jones / quote ↗
24UndatedI think the first draft is so challenging because that elusive BALANCE is so challenging.Darynda Jones / quote ↗
