Mull Quotes

You're just a character in my dream."
"You wish."
"I didn't mean my love interest," she replied defensively. "You'd have better hair. You're the character I dreamed up because the rest of the dream was making me homesick."
"Maybe you're the character I dreamed up to scare myself awake."
"That's not very nice!"
"You made fun of my hair. I like it this way. Short and simple."
I don't mind short. Mine is short."
"Then what's wrong with mine?" Jason challenged.
"Maybe we should talk about something else."
"Like the guy on a horse coming to kill us?"
"It needs more style," she muttered.
"The horse?"
"Your hair."
"I forgot to bring my gel when I got eaten by a hippo. ~ Brandon Mull

It is not like studying German, where you mull along, in a groping, uncertain way, for thirty years; and at last, just as you think you've got it, they spring the subjunctive on you, and there you are. No- and I see now plainly enough, that the great pity about the German language is, that you can't fall off it and hurt yourself. There is nothing like that feature to make you attend strictly to business. ~ Mark Twain

You sometimes act as if you think growing up means the rules don't apply anymore. On the contrary - a big part of growing up is learning self-control. You work on that, and then we can talk about expanding your privileges. ~ Brandon Mull

Nathan Sutter," the teacher read. Here. My mother never calls me Nathan." Is it Nate?" She calls me Honeylips. ~ Brandon Mull

Evil likes darkness." "Why is that?" Seth asked. Grandma thought about the question a moment before answering. "Because evil likes to hide. ~ Brandon Mull

What has three heads, six arms, and half a brain?" Three asked. One and Two answered in unison. "Nate Sutter. ~ Brandon Mull

Beacon, beacon, lonesome on a hill -
Waves run aground, pound 'round, what a thrill!
Water water everywhere crashes,
Shore's not lazy for it mashes, bashes…..
Summer's when tourists traipse o'er to see you,
Offering to wipe-wash your dust and mildew;
Summer painters place you with dinghy and gull,
Historians have you as subject o'er which to mull.
When feline Fog drifts gently or is heavy,
Your bright light's followed by boat bevy;
And during those calm, clear days and nights
You're that upright nautical dream exciting tiny tykes. ~ Mariecor Ruediger

My father once admonished me to master the laws that govern fine writing until I could weave my words into worlds. If ever I accomplish that feat, I will sign my name to the tale. ~ Brandon Mull

Imagination can take you Places....READ ~ Brandon Mull

You picked the right road, even though it is the most difficult. That is the essence of heroism. (p. 326) ~ Brandon Mull

The absence of suffocating humidity and carnivorous plants was appreciated. ~ Brandon Mull

Everyone should get to clobber a princess at least once, Jason said. ~ Brandon Mull

What you call idiot points, I call awesome dollars. ~Seth ~ Brandon Mull

Hello," Newel said. "Look, Doren, we have visitors. Kendra, Seth, and ... Muriel's weirdo puppet." ... Newel grabbed Seth's hand and shook it vigorously. "Congratulations. You just found yourself a secret entrance."
"So seriously," Doren said. "What's with the puppet? ~ Brandon Mull

What's the meaning of life?" Cole tried. "There is no inherent meaning," Aero replied. "All significance is constructed. ~ Brandon Mull

All right. Since the world is about to end, why not give an impossible jailbreak one last try? ~ Brandon Mull

Like a guide dog, paintings help you see. ~ Martin Mull

Please don't assault me with that meat amalgam. It would surely cause infection ~ Brandon Mull

Drake. He liked dangerous pies."
"Why did he join you?"
"Who would eat pie that could take over your life? Why risk it?"
"Focus. Why did he join you?"
"Say no to death pies. Another good motto. I'm getting a headache." p. 432 ~ Brandon Mull

Who won the 2004 World Series?"
She shrugged, "The Yankees?"
"The Yankees? And you claim to be an American?" He enjoyed rubbing it in after her attitude about Harrisburg. "It was the Red Sox. The year they broke the curse. ~ Brandon Mull

You said you wanted my story? Well, I was swallowed by a hippopotamus. Except I didn't go into the hippo, I ended up in a tree. Then I sort of wandered here. ~ Brandon Mull

You have some serious psychological issues."
"Does that mean I'm logical to psychos?"
"Probably."
"At least somebody gets me. ~ Brandon Mull

Let's worry about fixing the problem instead of the blame. ~ Brandon Mull

My dad says people who insist that youtrust them usually don't deserve it. ~ Brandon Mull

Some of the pictures I must say every now and then I just think are going to be funny. When it gets that much, you might as well just pull out all the stops and make it more of a burlesque. ~ Martin Mull

In some ways, it's easier to recognize your power when you're calm and untroubled than when you're distressed. Search out your talent in quiet moments. Don't push too hard. You've done it once. You can do it again. ~ Brandon Mull

What's the point of cleaning up your act if you don't have an act? ~ Martin Mull

Forgive my brother," Camira apologized. "We don't normally let him out of his cage when guests are present. ~ Brandon Mull

The main message of 'Smarter Than You Think' is an attempt to look at the productively new and interesting ways that we have begun to learn about the world, to think about what we found, and to mull it over and argue about it with other people as we use technology. ~ Clive Thompson

My general rule, which I have followed throughout my coaching career, is that everyone doesn't necessarily get treated the same way, because I'm not sure that's possible. But everyone has to be treated fairly. Moreover, they have to know and trust that they will be treated fairly. Dennis Green, NFL Coach There's nothing worse than the feeling of wishing you had another chance at a play because you weren't ready. Every athlete has those feelings to mull over, and over, and over ... Don't even expose yourself to the possibility of being caught off-guard. ~ Karch Kiraly

Patience mimics the power of infinity. ~ Brandon Mull

When your only option is to jump, you jump and try to make it work. ~ Brandon Mull

We humans are conflicted beings. Our beliefs don't always harmonize with our instincts, and our behavior doesn't always reflect our beliefs ... We wage war between the person we are and the person we hope to become. ~ Brandon Mull

For anything worth accomplishing, we can always find reasons to doubt, just as we can also find reasons to proceed ... I have chosen to side with faith and hope over doubt and despair. ~ Brandon Mull

All boys belong in insane asylums. ~ Brandon Mull

He would have shaved the centaurs, dipped them in honey, covered them with feathers, and hung them up like a bunch of pinatas. I'm just saying. - Warren ~ Brandon Mull

A reader of The Unspeakables recently contacted me. She said she had become so engrossed with the paperback she'd taken it to the top of a Munro whilst climbing on the Isle of Mull. I'm delighted to have three-dimensional circulation as well. ~ Peter F. Jemison

All who oppose me must be broken! ~ Brandon Mull

I think we should probably get Vanessa out of the Quiet Box to help us. What do you guys say?'
'Absolutely,' Newel affirmed. 'Best idea I've heard all day.'
'I'll second that,' Doren said gladly.
Seth gave the satyrs a doubtful scowl. 'Wait a minute. You guys just think she's pretty.'
'I've been around a long time,' Newel said. 'Vanessa Santoro is not jut pretty.'
'He's right,' Doren agreed. 'She's walking dynamite. My pulse is rising just talking about her.'
'She also might be a traitor,' Seth stressed.
'The lethal temptress,' Newel said with relish. 'Even better.'
'It will definitely spice up the adventure,' Doren encouraged.
'I'm obviously talking to wrong guys,' Seth sighed.
'Believe me,' Newel said cockily. 'you're talking to the right guys. We've been chasing babes since the world was flat.'
Seth rolled his eyes. ~ Brandon Mull

Brighter shades of blue and red than he had ever seen. The ~ Brandon Mull

I'm the worst kind of criminal."
"And what kind is that?"
"The kind that got caught. ~ Brandon Mull

You've got a lifetime to mull over the Buddhist understanding of interconnectedness." He spoke every sentence as if he'd written it down, memorized it, and was now reciting it. "But while you were looking out the window, you missed the chance to explore the equally interesting Buddhist belief in being present for every facet of your daily life, of being truly present. Be present in this class. And then, when it's over, be present out there," he said, nodding toward the lake and beyond.'
~Dr. Hyde, pg 50 ~ John Green

Tying the laces. The bottom line was that Grandpa would have been willing to risk his life on the gamble that the shadows of Tanu and Coulter meant to offer meaningful assistance. He would have followed them if he could have done so alone. He simply was not willing to risk Seth's life. To Seth, this proved that the risk was worth taking. If Grandpa loved him too much to let him take a worthwhile risk, then he would bypass Grandpa. Shoes secure, Seth slid his emergency kit out from under the bed. Then he tiptoed down the attic stairs, flinching at every creak. At the bottom of the steps the house remained dark and quiet. Seth hurried along the hall and down the stairs to the entry hall. He stole into Grandpa's study, tugged a chain to turn on a desk lamp, and rummaged through Tanu's bag of potions. After examining several bottles, Seth found the one he wanted, grabbed it, and closed the bag. ~ Brandon Mull

I will not know that day has come because I will not stop trying. ~ Brandon Mull

If there is some art involved, I'd like it to be that it came through the cracks of daily work. ~ Martin Mull

Cleansing. An occasional foray into negative emotions makes feeling normal that much sweeter." "He's right, I feel great ~ Brandon Mull

I try to not get to the point where one is making wallpaper, or simply painting money. I want to make sure that I am at least trying to weigh myself down, that there's a challenge each time. ~ Martin Mull

Not a wall in the building lacked books. Books even occupied the space above doorways. ~ Brandon Mull

Laughing, Bracken threw his sword aside and extended a hand towards the wizard. "To me," he said ... The unicorn horn lept from the wizard's hand and streaked to Bracken, who caught it effortlessly. In his grasp the horn immediately transformed into a sword ... ~ Brandon Mull

Learn to recognize power in others. Become more conscious of your own power. It's there. ~ Brandon Mull

She shall be my queen, and I her most ardent admirer and protector. A new standard of love shall be established for the ages. Time will clarify my devotion! On this I would gladly stake my very soul! ~ Brandon Mull

Most people worth knowing enjoy reading. ~ Brandon Mull

Rolling flat onto his back, Drake shuddered. Then he inhaled deeply. He stared up at the night sky. "We're going to win," he said, his voice calmer, less strained. "This is nothing. Keep going. They can't stop us. Jason, give Rachel the necklace. Tell her ... tell her I'm sorry. Tell her ... I wanted ... to show her ... my little valley. Tell her I tried."
His voice was growing weak. Farfalee smoothed a hand over his brow. "Shhh," she whispered. "Be still, Drake. You can rest now. You did it. Rest. We'll take it from here."
"Failie," he whispered, his hand twitching toward the back of his neck with little jerks. "Where's my seed?" His head tipped sideways. The breath went out of him. ~ Brandon Mull

He's stubborn," Tux warned in a singsong tone.
"Stay out of this," Mark spat.
"And touchy," Tux added. ~ Brandon Mull

For the introvert, as for the flâneur, observing is not a fallback position - something we do because we can't participate. We watch because we want to. There is something wonderfully grounding about remaining still as others mull about - or mulling about while others remain still. Against the backdrop of the scene, the introvert feels more like an "I. ~ Laurie A. Helgoe

This surpassed the fear of death. Death would be a mercy if it would make the feeling stop, the uncontrollable panic mingling with the mind-scrambling certainty of something sinister approaching, something with no need to hurry, something that would not be so kind as to let him die. The fear was palpable, suffocating, irresistible. ~ Brandon Mull

Newel and Doren had inexhaustibly consumed milkshakes, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, nachos, pretzels, nuts, beef jerky, trail mix, soda, doughnuts, candy bars, cookies, crackers, and aerosol cheese. Of the fifty most impressive belches Seth had witnessed in his life, all had occurred on this road trip. "I hate to interrupt the feasting," Vanessa said, "but we did come here for a purpose. Let's try to focus on something besides sweet fat and salty fat for the next little while." "Some of us have fast metabolisms," Doren mumbled. "We just want fuel in the tank before we risk our necks," Newel complained. ~ Brandon Mull

The good stupid is the brave kind. When there's a real reason behind. Bad stupid is everything else. ~ Brandon Mull

I never stopped making pictures. There were times when more of my income was coming from other sources, and I had to devote more time to television and movies and records. ~ Martin Mull

Kendra stared out the side window of the SUV, watching foliage blur past. When the flurry of motion became too much, she looked up ahead and fixed her gaze on a particular tree, following it as it slowly approached, streaked past, and then gradually receded behind her. Was life like that? You could look ahead to the future or back at the past, but the present moved too quickly to absorb. Maybe sometimes. Not today. Today they were driving along an endless two-lane highway through the forested hills of Connecticut. ~ Brandon Mull

The table is silent again while we mull that over. Then Sophie reminds us that she dated a gay guy for two years.

"Dating sucks," I conclude.

"I got kicked out a guy's apartment once," Everly offers as her contribution to dating horror stories.

"You broke into his apartment, Everly. You stole his key and broke in. You're his dating horror story, not the other way around," I remind her while Sophie and Sandra laugh.

"Minor detail, Chloe. ~ Jana Aston

The comforts of life as a fugitive," Drake sighed. "Stumbling about in the dark without mounts. ~ Brandon Mull

Your mind was seizing on something to try to make sense of the emotion. Can you see the power emotion has to distort our outlook? Makes u wonder, did you have a bad day, or did you make it a bad day? ... We can exert a lot of control over our emotions. But sometimes they run away with us. These bottled-up emotions hit you with a lot of force ... If you drink straight courage, you can beome reckless and foolhardy. For a good result, you have to temper the courage with a little fear, a little calm. Tanu, p109-110 ~ Brandon Mull

Fingering spots where they had been torn or punctured by boarhound teeth. ~ Brandon Mull

She pictured herself running from a hoard of ravenous zombies on a hot day eventually collapsing from heatstroke and getting devoured. Then she imagined Hal giving a rousing eulogy at her funeral explaining how Kendra's death was a beautiful sacrifice allowing the noble zombies to live on delighting future generations by mindlessly trying to eat them. With her luck it could totally happen. ~ Brandon Mull

I have an evening dress, pink mull over silk (I'm perfectly beautiful in that), and a blue church dress, and a dinner dress of red veiling with Oriental trimming (makes me look like a Gipsy), and another of rose-coloured challis, and a grey street suit, and an every-day dress for classes. That wouldn't be an awfully big wardrobe for Julia Rutledge Pendleton, perhaps, but for Jerusha Abbott - Oh, my! ~ Jean Webster

Yeah, we call that mulling around. Okay guys, come on now. What we're going to do early in this game is mull around, okay? And later, we're going call that monkey-off-our-back play. ~ Les Miles

You've pulled off some shocking upsets in the past, but only a fool would bet on you this time. So I will. ~ Brandon Mull

That was cool.'
You're psychotic. ~ Brandon Mull

My brave husband came back from fighting the Turks and brought me a robe of silk and a necklace of human teeth. He sat up at night by his hearth telling tales of battle. Apparently the Turks are ten times more ferocious and fearless than the Scots. 'Perhaps we should invite them here to drive the Scots back,' I suggested, and he laughed, but he didn't kiss me. That's when I learned the truth about scars. A man with a battle scar is a veteran, a hero, given an honoured place at the fire. Small boys gaze up fascinated, dreaming of winning such badges of courage. Maids caress his thighs with their buttocks as they bend over to mull his ale. Women cluck and cosset, and if in time other men grow a little weary of that tale of honour, then they call for his cup to be filled again and again until he is fuddled and dozes quietly in the warmth of the embers.

But a scarred woman is not encouraged to tell her story. Boys jeer and mothers cross themselves. Pregnant women will not come close for fear that if they look upon such a sight, the infant in their belly will be marked. You've heard of the tales of Beauty and the Beast no doubt. How a fair maid falls in love with a monster and sees the beauty of his soul beneath the hideous visage. But you've never heard the tale of the handsome man falling for the monstrous woman and finding joy in her love, because it doesn't happen, not even in fairytales. The truth is that the scarred woman's husband buys her a good thick veil and ~ Karen Maitland

The last thing we need is a giant magical cow running around loose. It could be total mayhem. ~ Brandon Mull

The others were trying to spare you from pain. The truth can be devastating. We spend much of our lives protecting ourselves from it and shielding others as well. We use lies to take the edge off life. We dream of a better tomorrow. We hide from our regrets and inadequacies. We try to exaggerate the good and downplay the bad. We even mange to hide from the inescapable reality that sooner or later we and everyone we love is going to die. ~ Brandon Mull

What if a pair of us head off on our own?" Nollin proposed, panting. "A small detachment might avoid detection."
"It's a gamble," Ferrin said. "If the duo gets noticed, they'll be defenseless. Who'd you have in mind?"
"Some key delegates," Nollin said. "Perhaps myself and Aram."
Rachel shook her head. Evidently, Nollin had noticed the critical role Aram had played during the escape.
Ferrin laughed openly. "Aram, you've been promoted to essential!"
"I'm generally more appreciated at night," the big man grumbled. "I'm going to the table, Nollin."
"Maybe we should all remain together," Nollin repented. ~ Brandon Mull

You're free to dream however you wish," Nollin teased. "But don't ask the rest of us to share your unrealistic - "
"Then don't ask us to share your weakness!" Jason interrupted. ~ Brandon Mull

Never underestimate a child's ability to get into more trouble. ~ Martin Mull

Not kill us," Pigeon corrected. "She was mainly just trying to turn us into mindless slaves. ~ Brandon Mull

The most important thing is insight, that is to be - curious - to wonder, to mull, and to muse why it is that man does what he does. ~ William Faulkner

Having a family is like having a bowling alley installed in your brain. ~ Martin Mull

Choices determine character. ~ Brandon Mull

A crossbow?" Pigeon asked.
I left my battle-ax in my other jeans," the man said. ~ Brandon Mull

Most pleasures are best as a seasoning, not the main course. p. 374 ~ Brandon Mull

Your attempt was valiant, but the fight was unfair. He was a seasoned warrior, fully armored. You were a lad with a short sword. You have a brave heart. That can be more important than size or strength. ~ Brandon Mull

A gunshot rang out, blasting a hole in the door. A crossbow quarrel zinged through the hole and stuck quivering into the opposite wall. Seth heard the rocking horse clattering down the staircase, the twang of bowstrings, and the overlapping beat of several other projectiles thudding against the door.
"That was awesome," Seth told Kendra.
"You're psychotic," Kendra replied. ~ Brandon Mull

The surprise is on the far side."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
"It better not be another fairy," Seth said.
"What's the matter with fairies?"
"I've already seen about a billion of them and also they turned me into a walrus. ~ Brandon Mull

You'd have to think that you're at least decent, or you couldn't get up every morning and do it. I think if I live long enough, I might be pretty good. ~ Martin Mull

Telling that guy a secret is like writing it across the sky ~ Brandon Mull

If we can expect another journey tomorrow, we should secure horses," Ferrin went on. "And if the sun will be shining, perhaps a goat for Aram."
"Keep it up," Aram dared him through clenched teeth.
"Is a goat too large and unruly?" Ferrin asked? "Maybe we should saddle a raccoon."
"Odd how these taunts tend to fade after sundown," Aram growled, taking a large bite of bread.
"But a new day always dawns," Ferrin replied. "And we can all use some entertainment."
Aram glowered. "Then perhaps tonight I should pull you apart and let the others puzzle you back together."
"That's the spirit!" Ferrin applauded. "Taunt back! I get the sense you've seldom had to deal with ridicule."
Aram appeared to be resisting a pleased little smile. ~ Brandon Mull

Rachel showed Ulani how to work the camera. Jason explained that the device would capture and preserve the image, along with their souls. ~ Brandon Mull

No matter how hard I try, there's a cynical corner of my mind where everything is an act. People are game pieces. Information is currency. ~ Brandon Mull

Smart people learn from their mistakes. But the real sharp ones learn from the mistakes of others. ~ Brandon Mull

Please," Kendra said. "Think of all the lives that will be destroyed."
"I have," Mark said. "Believe me, darling, I grasp all aspects of this, I really do. But how much has the public I'm protecting worried about me? My sanity, my happiness, my right to find peace?"
"They made no promises," Bracken said. "They are not preventing the end of the world. Those who know about your sacrifice appreciate you immeasurably. Your life may not be fair, but it is absolutely necessary. ~ Brandon Mull

In his writings, Patton was shameless about his ambition to woo Lena to be his bride. He detailed the gradual progress he made, playing music for her on his violin, writing her poems, beguiling her with stories, engaging her in conversation. It was clear that he obsessed over her. He knew what he wanted and never relented until she was his. ~ Brandon Mull

Is this the seedman Jasher?" The commander indicated the charred remains.
"It's his identical twin."
"We know he traveled with you until recently. Where is his amar?"
"I ate it."
"This is a foolish time for flippancy."
"I panicked. It tasted horrible. Do you have any mouthwash? ~ Brandon Mull

I've been thinking." She pretended to mull the question over. "What if I decided to go flying around the galaxy with some scoundrel?" Han raised his eyebrows and pointed toward his own chest. Leia laughed. "Unless you had another scoundrel in mind." "Hey, hey. I'm the only scoundrel up for the job." He shook his head in - surprise? Disbelief? Leia wasn't sure. What mattered most was the warmth in his smile. Even if Han wasn't convinced she intended to do this, he liked the idea. Down ~ Claudia Gray

Whatever you do," Seth said around a chewy mouthful, "try not to leave me down here too long. You can only play a certain amount of Yahtzee games in a row before you become a lunatic."
"I'll keep that in mind. ~ Brandon Mull

It was an emergency!" Seth blurted. "Read my lips - emergency reading - not some demented idea of fun. If I was starving, I would eat asparagus. If somebody held a gun to my head, I would watch a soap opera. And to save Fablehaven, I would read a book, okay, are you happy?"
You had best be careful, Seth," Grandma warned. "The love of reading can be contagious."
I just lost my appetite," he declared ... ~ Brandon Mull

Do not threaten the supreme gigantic overlords. We do as we please. ~ Brandon Mull

I sound the same to myself ~ Brandon Mull

The bear would have to be stopped," Grandma agreed. "Stan is just making the distinction that you wouldn't blame the bear the same way you would blame a responsible person. ~ Brandon Mull

An unread book does nobody any good. Stories happen in the mind of a reader, not among symbols printed on a page. ~ Brandon Mull