“Later she came to realise that under one reality theres always another. And another one under that.”

“Her works are said to be too far from reality to be considered real literature. Why doesnt she write about life? the people of Rabbit Back ask.”

“Amateur detectives in fiction had always annoyed Ella. They were so unrealistic. She didnt intend to be the Rabbit Back version of Miss Marple or a cheap Baker Street knock-off, and she really didn...”

“Are writers the torchbearers of humanity? Its a romantic idea, but its complete rubbish. We writers are the crocodiles in the river.”

“I would be happy to take credit for all of the wonderful experiences I describe in my novels, but my life isnt quite that rich. Unfortunately we authors are sometimes forced to use other peoples li...”

“Even the best cook cant make chicken soup out of his own feet. There arent so terribly many ingredients in anyones life, less meat than there is on a sparrow. The average person could come up with ...”

“Ella had asked the writer how it felt to see her own works published. Seläntö had smiled sweetly at her and whispered, “You know what? It makes you understand why a dog eats its own vomit.”

“If you want to be a writer-stop talking about it and sit down and write!”

“You can write nothing of value unless you give yourself wholly to the the theme -- and when you so give yourself -- you lose appetite ans sleep -- it cannot be helped --”

“If you're a writer, the answer to everything is yes.”