Cynthia Leitich Smith Quotes

Miranda: You say you were my guardian angel. Does that mean you watched me all the time? Like when I got my period or doctored a zit or took a shower or-
Zachary: I'm an angel, not a Peeping Tom.

I'm fond of my werecats, if only because I have four real-world felines staring at me as I type.

In terms of graphic versus prose, I could probably do a lecture on that topic. But what stood out most was the difference in pacing the language and resulting scenes. One illustration can do so much for the reader.

It was funny, though, the things you didn't learn about people until after they died.

Besides, humans aren't prey. They are our natural enemies. They are to be avoided.

Each second neared our last.
We danced.
"Kieren ... "
"Shhh ... "
We danced.
"I'll be okay." Was that me lying? Or him?
We danced.
"Close your eyes," he whispered, brushing his lips
against mine. "Know that I'm missing you already and
that you'll always be in my prayers."
When I opened my eyes, I stood alone in the middle of
the dance floor.

Big picture, it's amazing to create characters and see them brought to life in the art. And to love that art. But I especially enjoy writing a character with heightened powers that aren't especially useful to him.

Love isn't only passion and joy. It's also sacrifice.

Bridget adds, "Did Anyone bring a weapon?"
"Confiscated," Zach admits for both of us.
Vesper holds up her metal fingernail file. "They didn't take this."
We're dealing with the forces of evil," I point out. "Not the TSA.

Beginning authors often get in their own way ... They forget that they've been telling stories since they could talk. ... The important thing to remember is, you know how to do this. You've been doing this your whole life.

You ate the police?! I exclaimed.

She seems to think being cryptic is some kind of substitute for having a decent personality.

It's not about you, it's about the story. It's not about the folks who raise an eyebrow because you're not yet published or not yet J.K. Rowling. It's not about what that lady at church may think or, for that matter, the critics. It's not about the fact that you can't please everyone, and it's sure as heck not about the odds. In the immortal words of Gold Five, "Stay on target." You may or may not be the one who destroys the Death Star. But you're a hero if you get out of your own way, put it all on the line, and try.

I may be heaven-sent, bit I'm not perfect

Forget what you might have heard. There are no separate corps of angels for agnostics, atheists, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Mormons, Buddhists, Unitarians, Hindus, Druids, Shintoists, Wiccans, and so on. To put a spin on the old saying, it's okay if you don't believe in angels.
We believe in you.

Men suck.
- Not all men. Just the really good ones.

I find getting the first draft down to be the biggest challenge. Every word, every punctuation mark, every plot point is a decision. It's much more fun to play with something that already exists.