Lynn Flewelling Quotes & Sayings

A writer can't just be well-educated or good at research; to build a living, breathing world with interesting characters, you have to write from the gut. I'm not saying you have to live your life like a fantasy adventure. The trick is the ability to synthesize your own everyday experiences into your fiction. Infuse your characters with believable emotions and motivations. Infuse your world with rich sensory detail. For that you have to be in touch with your own existence and your own soul, the dark and the light of it. — Lynn Flewelling

Imagine - Lord Seregil and Lord Alec slapped up in the Red Tower for common housebreaking? No one knows what we really are, or what we've done for Skala. It would just be shame and dishonor, and for what? Because some titled slip of a girl couldn't keep her skirts down on Mourning Night, then decided she wanted a proper marriage? For that, I risk losing you? — Lynn Flewelling

I come from a very small city in a rather remote part of America, where writers simply weren't part of the daily fabric. — Lynn Flewelling

Though you thrust a knife at my eyes, I will not flinch. — Lynn Flewelling

Tobin had spent the first twelve years of his life living a lie, and the last two trying to ignore the truth. — Lynn Flewelling

I don't want to spend a fortune on my cremation urn, but I really do want to look nice at my memorial service. — Lynn Flewelling

So I might have to marry Alec when I'm grown," Illia was prattling across to Seregil. "I hope that won't hurt your feelings too much."
Seregil slapped a hand over his heart like a troubadour in a mural. "Ah, fair maiden, I shall slay a thousand evil dragons for you, and lay their steaming black livers at your dainty feet, if only you will restore me to your favor."
"Livers!" Illia buried her face against Alec's shoulder with an outraged giggle.
"You wouldn't bring me livers, would you, Alec?"
"Of course not," Alec scoffed. "What a disgusting present. I'd bring you the eyeballs for a necklace, and all their scaly pointed tongues to tie your braids with. — Lynn Flewelling

Come on, Seregil, let's show him how it's done."
"I'm busy," replied Seregil, working on a tricky bit of fingering.
Moving to stand over him, Micum groweled, "Put away that twopenny toy, you tit-sucking coistril, and show me the length of your blade!"
Seregil laid his harp aside with a sigh. "Dear me, that sounds rather like a challenge-"
Lunging swiftly past Micum, he sprang to his feet and drew his sword, then swung a flat-bladed attack at Micum's forearm. — Lynn Flewelling

Then again, I don't suppose the very poor care much about the doings of the rich, either. The gulf is too wide. Not many have been on both sides of it, as we have. — Lynn Flewelling

Whatever role you play, play it to the hilt. — Lynn Flewelling

Still clutching each other by the arm, they turned to watch the last stones plummet over the edge.
"I don't know how many times a day I can stand to watch you almost die," Seregil gasped.
"Twice is my limit," croaked Alec, sinking to his knees. — Lynn Flewelling

I hate being told what to do! Especially by myself! — Lynn Flewelling

It is better to lack the semblance of honor but possess it than to possess the semblance and lack the honor. — Lynn Flewelling

It would be lovely if it was all Right vs. Wrong, Good overcomes Evil - I think most Americans, going about their daily lives, fool themselves into thinking that that's how our little world works, but it just isn't so. — Lynn Flewelling

Fowl never tastes as savory when you're hungry for venison. — Lynn Flewelling

If you set your story in Rome, Ireland or Sheboygan, for that matter, go there. If you're broke, set it in the town where you live, or where you grew up. — Lynn Flewelling

I think the key is to give the reader characters they not only care about, but identify with, and to never take away all hope. — Lynn Flewelling

These are Plenimaran marines, and there's not much most of them aren't capable of, if you take my meaning."
"I don't think I do," said Alec, puzzled by Seregil's tone.
"Then try this. They have a saying among them: 'When whores are few, a boy will do.' Got that?"
"Oh." Alec felt his face go hot. — Lynn Flewelling

When I started writing 'Luck in the Shadows,' I just wanted to create an adventure story. — Lynn Flewelling

I love all of my books. They were labors of love; I was striving to create something well done, and I do feel I succeeded. — Lynn Flewelling

The move to creating stories was a natural progression for me, but the most pivotal time was probably in 6th grade: That year, a friend introduced me to the stories of Ray Bradbury, and a student teacher introduced me to creative writing. — Lynn Flewelling

The real world is the fantasy writer's scrapbook. Real history, real geography, real customs and religions are all invaluable sources of guidance and inspiration. — Lynn Flewelling

Cursed be the weapon that tastes the blood of a friend. — Lynn Flewelling

You hardly know me. Why do you want me to come with you?"
"Who knows? Perhaps you remind me just a bit of - "
"Someone you used to know?" Alec interjected skeptically.
"Someone I used to be. — Lynn Flewelling

A crafty nightrunner died of late,
And found himself at Bilairy's Gate.
He stood outside and refused to knock
Because he meant to pick the lock. — Lynn Flewelling

A Skalan trader tried to tell me the streets of his cities were paved with gold," Alec went on. "I didn't believe him, though. He was the one who tried to buy me from father. I was only eight or nine. I could never figure out what he wanted me for."
"Really?" Seregil lifted a noncommittal eyebrow. — Lynn Flewelling

How do you break into a ship?"
"The same way you do a house, only wetter. — Lynn Flewelling

But is it an honest living?" Alec persisted, clinging to his last shred of resolve.
"Most of those who employ me are great lords or nobles."
"It sounds like a pretty dangerous line of work," Alec remarked, aware that once again Seregil had side-stepped the question.
"That's the spice of it, though," cried Seregil. "And you can end up rich!"
"Or on the end of a rope?"
Seregil chuckled. "Have it your way. — Lynn Flewelling

They have a saying among them: 'When whores are few, a boy will do. — Lynn Flewelling

Thou you thrust your dagger at my eye, I will not flinch. — Lynn Flewelling

Take what the Lightbearer sends and be thankful. — Lynn Flewelling

First shall be the Guardian, a vessel of light in the darkness. Then the Shaft and the Vanguard, who shall fail and yet not fail if the Guide, the Unseen One, goes forth. And at the last shall be again the Guardian, whose portion is bitter, as bitter as gall. — Lynn Flewelling

You always have a choice. Don't ever imagine you don't. Whatever you do, it's a decision and you have to accept responsibility for it. That's when honor becomes more than empty words. — Lynn Flewelling

Realism isn't something most people associate with the fantasy genre, yet it's an essential element of great fantasy writing. — Lynn Flewelling

It was Alec who brought their lips together.
Seregil's first reaction was disbelief. But Alec was insistent, clumsy but determined. It lasted an instant, an eternity, that one awkward kiss, and it spoke silent volumes of bewildered honesty.
The moment that followed was too fragile for words. — Lynn Flewelling

I was always a 'let's pretend' kind of kid. — Lynn Flewelling

I do a lot with characters' sense of identity. I also like challenging stereotypes, gender roles, things like that. Give me a stereotype or a genre expectation and the first thing I want to do is stand it on its head. In the Nightrunner books I wanted to see if I could create a believable gay hero, one who wasn't someone's sidekick or a victim. — Lynn Flewelling

Setting is the bedrock of your story. If you choose a real-world backdrop, be certain you get your facts straight. — Lynn Flewelling