Mcmann Quotes & Sayings

Excellent." Captain nods. "Cabel. What's your job?"
Watching in agony, sir."
Captain suppressed a smile. "I'd make you stay home if I didn't know you'd sneak out, anyway. while you are watching in agony, feel free to take note of anyone who comes or goes that's not on the list. — Lisa McMann

I had one of those defining moments in the fourth grade when my teacher said the story I wrote was the best in the class, and therefore I would be going Young Authors Conference where I'd get to hang out with authors all day. — Lisa McMann

Jacian Obregon. It sounds like a melody. Or a tragedy. — Lisa McMann

Because our power is motivating, and gives momentum and ownership of changes to those who dream of failure. — Lisa McMann

Ruined by the truth — Lisa McMann

To Aaron, it didn't seem logical to hope anyone would do anything - did it? Either Aaron would come back or he wouldn't and the rock would have to be fine either way. Hope was a waste of time. — Lisa McMann

Hey Cabe?" she says, drying her hair, feeling refreshed. Grinning. Putting all thoughts but one aside for the moment. "You wanna go get Jimmy a raincoat and we'll take care of you?"
Cabel looks at her.
Turns his head and narrows his eyes.
Who the hell is Jimmy? — Lisa McMann

With the notebook resting ominuslously on Janie's bed, Janie procrastinates.
Does her homework first.
And pours herself a bowl of ceral. Breakfast - one of the five most important meals of the day. Not to be skipped. — Lisa McMann

If you believe you can read you can — Lisa McMann

Bashful=Spanish, Miss Gardenia
Doc=Psychology, Mr. Wang
Happy=Chemistry 2, Mr. Durbin
Dopey=English Lit., Mr. Purcell
Dippy=Math, Mrs. Craig
Dumbass=PE, Coach Crater — Lisa McMann

Life is very complicated. Filled with dreams and adventures, and disasters and broken hearts, too. — Lisa McMann

I've got a huge, terrible problem."
Oh no! Not that horrible toenail fungus that takes six months to cure?"
No, no, no. Much worse. This is shocking news. Are you sure I should tell you while you're driving?"
I've got my headset on. Both hands on the wheel. Windows rolled up. Go for it."
Okay, here goes ... Principal Abernethy called me this morning to let me know I'm in the running for valedictorian."
There is silence.
A rather loudish snort.
And guffaws.
Congratulations," she finally says, laughing. "What ever are you going to do?"
Fail ever assignment from today onward."
You won't be able to."
Watch me. — Lisa McMann

Blood sped through my veins as I gripped the edge of the counter, gazing into the face I knew so well. A shadow of confusion crossed his expression as he stared back at me before the corner of his mouth drew up in a slight grin ... — Laney McMann

I'm awful glad I'm not a bug
to go through life without a hug. — Kat McMann

When would you like to go out with me so we can talk about it?" A grin flirts with his lips.
He's got her cornered.
And he knows it.
Janie chuckles, defeated. "You are such a bastard."
"When," he demands. "I promise, all my heart, I'll be your house elf for the rest of my life if I fail to meet you at the appointed date and time." He leans forward. "Promise," he says again. He holds up two fingers.
The bell rings.
They stand up.
She's not answering.
He comes around the table toward her and pushes her gently against the wall. Sinks his lips into hers.
He tastes like spearmint. She can't stop the flipping in her stomach.
He pulls back and touches her cheek, her hair. "When," he whispers. Urgently
She clears her throat and blinks. "A-a-after school works for me," she says. — Lisa McMann

WE
When it is over, we breathe and ache like old oak, like peeling birch. One of Our lost souls set free. We move, a chess piece in a dark room, cast-iron legs moving a centimeter at a time, crying out in silent carved graffiti. Calling to Our next victim, Our next savior. We carve on Our face:
Touch me.
Save my soul. — Lisa McMann

What kind of life is that? Do you know? Do you? Because I know. I lived that life. For years I lived it. Without you. And I've never been more miserable. I'd rather fight everyday to keep you near me than have you walk away. I'd rather pay that price, Max. I'm not afraid to pay it. I can't believe you're standing here telling me that you are."
~Layla to Max; TORN — Laney McMann

He kisses her. She kisses him. They kiss. — Lisa McMann

Dreams aren't memories," he says. — Lisa McMann

Who hasn't had the 'I went to school/work in my underwear' dream? — Lisa McMann

The vamp in McMann's stared at me. I guess he didn't like the Goth look. Most of them don't; somehow they think I'm making fun of them.
Which I totally am. — Rachel Caine

It's the intent, not the word, that makes something harsh. — Lisa McMann

She sits in the driveway, freezing, for thirty-six minutes. Arguing with herself. Because she thinks she's in love with him too. And there are two ways she can be a fool in love right now. She chooses the harder one. And knocks on the door. — Lisa McMann

Maybe you don't have to remember something for it to be true. For it to exist. — Lisa McMann

I went to Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan, and to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. — Lisa McMann

It's like a cat bell, so pretty yet alarming, because i know I'm letting myself fall when maybe I should fly away. But the loneliness inside, it's so fucking painful. It's that longing feeling that scratches to escape and makes you want to blurt out all kinds of gushy crap just to get the girl to look at you ... I hate it. Love its melty-ness and hate its leash around my neck. — Lisa McMann

...trying to think of every good thing he had inside himself that he could transfer into the creature. Things like the wisdom he had gained since coming to Artime, and the experience of deepest sorrow, which can only come from deepest love. — Lisa McMann

Janie: Did you ever sell drugs?
Cabel: Yes. Pot. Ninth and tenth grade. I was, uh ... rather troubled back then.
Janie: Why did you stop?
Cabel: Got busted, and Captain made me a better deal. Janie: So you've been a narc since then? Cabel: I cringe at your terminology. — Lisa McMann

She finds Snickers bars in the strangest places.
(She knows it's from him.)
(She wonders if they're laced with pot.) — Lisa McMann

[Redacted] felt a certain heaviness descend upon his shoulders and a loneliness rise to his throat, and instead of embracing the familial moment, he turned away, overwhelmed by it. — Lisa McMann

Come on, Cabel," Carrie says. "Let me give you a ride, at least. Unless you want Shay to- hey, here she comes now." Carrie titters, her eyes dancing.
Cabel's eyes grow wide. He slips into the backseat of Carrie's car without a word. "Get me outta here. Fuckin' creepy cheerleaders. — Lisa McMann

No rash decisions. No big commitments. Each day as it comes. — Lisa McMann

Cabel: Um, Janie?
Janie: Yesss, Cabel?
Cabel: I have another lie to confess.
Janie: Oh, dear. What is it?
Cabel: I do, actually, know what my GPA is.
Janie: And?
Cabel: And. I have a full-ride scholarship.
Cabel is pushed violently from the beanbag chair. And pounced upon. And told, repeatedly, what a bastard he is.
Janie is told that she will most certainly get a scholarship too, with her grades. Unless she plays hooky with drug dealers. — Lisa McMann

The guy's light eyes sparkled as he gazed at her, the weight of his body pinning Kade to the floor. "Are you trying to get us both killed?" His voice came out low, deadly. "Or is this how you usually meet people?" Glancing toward Kade's chest, flush against his, he smirked. "Because I'm not going to lie...it's effective. — Laney McMann

You could have been one of us." "Death would've been a better option. — Lisa McMann

Shred my beard and call me Ishmael!" the captain shouted. He — Lisa McMann

Whatever problems you may face, you must know this: I do believe in you. — Lisa McMann

When we come in, Trey is sitting up in the bed, him arm is a sling and a shadow of stubble on his face. "It's about time," he says. He's got the look of a stoner on his face, and I he's got a morphine drip going. Guess mom and Dad don't think HE'LL get addicted. Eye roll. — Lisa McMann

Cabel flicks his fingers at her, spraying her with water. Grinning. "Sure. I think I'm pretty lucky. I bet blind people have great sex. I'll even wear a blindfold so it's fair." He bumps his hips lightly against hers. — Lisa McMann

I would like to be able to disappear whenever I do something dorky. — Lisa McMann

Maybe broken hearts can mend more easily than broken hands and eyes — Lisa McMann

Do you think Cabel knows?"
Have you thought about asking him?"
Janie glances up to read her face. Bites her quivering lip to still it. "We're not exactly on speaking terms right now."
Captain sighs. "I gathered that." Carefully she says, "Cabel has his own demons and if he doesn't get on with killing them soon, I'm going to kick his ass ... — Lisa McMann

It's the touching they both long for. The holding. Spent their whole lives, each without any. — Lisa McMann

And he's pressing into her and she into him, bodies shivering, like they are two scared, lost children, starving, starving to be touched, to be held, by someone, anyone, the first one they can find who seems familiar enough, safe enough, strong enough to rescue them. They breathe, heavy. Hard. Their fingers strain at cotton. And then they slow down. Stop. Hold. Rest. Before one of them, or both, begins to sob. Before they break another piece that needs to be fixed. — Lisa McMann

I've always found teenagers really interesting. I think they've got so much going on in their lives, so that lends itself really well to fiction because there's so much drama, so much activity, so much growth. — Lisa McMann

One of my favorite ways to write paranormal, as in the 'Wake' trilogy, is to write very normal characters with just a hint of something other-worldly. Like somewhere, maybe, someone really can get sucked into other people's dreams. — Lisa McMann

The Thickety is a sinister, magical debut with a marvelous and shocking heroine. J.A. White's elegant writing and masterful plot kept me turning pages late into the night. — Lisa McMann

Just stand. Bend. Balance. — Lisa McMann

I love Chris Crutcher, Sara Zarr, Lois Lowry, Elizabeth Scott, Madeleine L'Engle, Gordon Korman, Michelle Magorian, Heather Bouwman. — Lisa McMann

It's just the end of some things. And the beginning of others. — Lisa McMann

If you don't want me to see, I guess, don't sleep in the same room as me."
He looks at her with a sly smile. "But I'm known for sleeping in school. It's my shtick. — Lisa McMann

I would love to go to Greece. — Lisa McMann

I know i'll screw up. But i'll keep trying, as long as you let me. — Lisa McMann

10:31pm
Janie drives home slowly, windows rolled down, hand ready on the parking brake. She takes Waverly. Past Cabel's house.
Nothing.
She falls into bed when she gets home.
There are no notes, no phone calls, no visits. Not that she was hoping for anything of course. That bastard. — Lisa McMann

He moves like a dancer. — Lisa McMann

I felt like I could be a good example that you don't have to have all the right things in life, all the doors already open for you, in order to do great things. In fact, I truly believe that a lot of people who do great things, many of them have come from harder backgrounds. — Sara McMann

Alex leaned over to Samheed. "If we get an hour's worth of music lessons, I think my head might explode." "In that case, bring on the music," Samheed muttered. Alex — Lisa McMann

But then you slammed a door handle into my gut. And when a girl does that to a guy; it means she likes him. — Lisa McMann

What did your mom say?"
"She said I better not be pregnant."
Janie snorts. "What the hell is wrong with our parents, anyway? Wait
you're not, are you?"
"Of course not! Sheesh, Janers! I may not have gotten the best grades in school, but I'm not stupid. You know I'm on the Pill. And his Jimmy doesn't get near me without a raincoat, yadamean? Ain't nothin' getting through my little fortress! — Lisa McMann

You don't have to have all the right things in life, all the doors already open for you, in order to do great things. — Sara McMann

-But now we worry - what if we will never die?-
-Would that be a bad thing?-
-For me, yes. I would not want to go on and on forever. Would you? Think about it.- — Lisa McMann

WE
We feel the heat, and for a moment, We believe! Life is back. But this heat is intense, not gentle. Not submissive but searing. Painful.
We moan, scream, Our face cracking like gunfire ... like a whip. Thirty-five, one hundred. One hundred! ONE HUNDRED!
The fire consumes our wooden host. It burns, breaks, explodes. Releases Our remaining souls to travel to Our final resting places.
Or.
To find new places to hide.
And wait.
Touch me. — Lisa McMann

So, what are you doing tonight?"
Me?" Janie laughs. "Homework, of course."
You want company?" Carrie's looking wistful.
Do you have homework to do?"
Of course. WEther I do it or not is the real question. — Lisa McMann

There's just no happily ever after in Janie's book.
But they both know there is something. Something good between them.
There is respect.
And there is depth.
Unslefishness.
An understanding between them that surpasses a hell of a lot else.
And there's that love thing. — Lisa McMann

They have an unusual relationship. And when things are good, it's magic. — Lisa McMann

Captain gives her a hard look. "You know what shit is? Killing three innocent people. Think your life is bad now, try living with that." Her voice is harsh. — Lisa McMann

Hippie said he couldn't stay. Be back tomorrow
-Love,Mom — Lisa McMann

Here," Trey says, fumbling for his cell phone on the bedside table. "You should call me.
Ben turns and looks at him, a small smile still playing around his lips. "Oh, should I? What's your number?"
Trey tells him, and Ben enters it into is phone, and then he takes Trey's and enters his number. "Okay," Ben says a little cautiously, "well, we'd love to have you come for a meeting. Are you seriously considering U of C? Even after what happened?"
"Oh yeah. I totally am. "What's your name again?"
Ben laughs and tells him.
I frown. Trey knows U of C is a private school. Mucho big bucks. But hey ... there's always the power of morphine to make you forget about the minor details of your life, like living above a restaurant that struggles monthly to pay bills, and considering returning to the place where some lunatic outsider came in and fucking shot you because you're gay. — Lisa McMann

The phone rings.
"Asshole," she mutters. She picks it up.
"Will you let me explain?"
"No." She hangs up. — Lisa McMann

Layla had always just been there. In my life. I wasn't sure who said, 'hi,' first, or maybe who smiled at who first - all I really remembered was staring at her, and her staring back at me, neither of us looking away. Both of us standing frozen, and life falling into the background with a distant hum. As if the world had stopped spinning. Just for us.
I remembered not caring if it had. She'd seemed so familiar, and even as a little kid, I'd known she was special. Like something bigger than me, older than me, had taken over my emotions in a way I didn't understand. She just felt like ... home.
I could have gazed into her eyes forever. Happy to stand in that powerless state for the rest of my life — Laney McMann

Janie.
Does not like.
To be called.
Buffy. — Lisa McMann

Feels like I'm in a play and I don't know all my lines. — Lisa McMann

I'm not going to blame a referee for something I feel like I should be able to control. I should get up quicker. If you want to win fights, you just have to do it, regardless of what's going on. — Sara McMann

No choice is best — Lisa McMann

Time to stop crying, time to get her act together and do something. Time to move beyond the pity party. — Lisa McMann

So, ah, I'm not sure if you know this, but you're not wearing a shirt."
"Distracting, isn't it? — Lisa McMann

With practice, you will master your own dreams. — Lisa McMann

Sawyer turned our friendship off like a faucet, but I can't help it - my faucet of love has a really bad leak. — Lisa McMann

He waits a moment. And then murmurs, 'I love you, Janie Hannagan. I can't get enough of you. I wake up in the morning and all I want to do is be with you.' He props himself up on his elbow. 'Do you have any idea how unusual, how important that is to me? — Lisa McMann

So what, then? Pete? Clyde?"
Cabel rolls over, pretending to sleep.
"It's Fred, isn't it?"
"Janie. Stop."
"You named your thing Janie?" She giggles.
Cabel groans deeply. "Go to sleep. — Lisa McMann

I highly regret this day in advance. — Lisa McMann

People who care about each other don't hurt each other or make each other feel small. — Lisa McMann

I know it's hard when things like this happen. It's painful. Sometimes we make sacrifices. Sometimes we lose dear friends whom we love deeply, and that makes us want to hold our other loved ones closer so we don't lose them, too. — Lisa McMann

This phone," he says finally. "I want this phone."
She laughs. "No. S'mine."
Janie, I don't think you understand. I want it."
Sorry."
It's got photo caller ID; Internet; video, camera, and digital recorder?! Holy Hannah ... It's making me warm all over."
Oh yeah?" Janie says in a sexy voice. "Wanna play with my phone, baby?"
Hell yes, I do. — Lisa McMann

What do you think about when you close your eyes?" she asked. Alex looked at her, her silky orange eyes catching light from the fire, her hair falling against her cheek, her lips soft and full. "You really want to know?" She nodded. "Yeah." "I think about you, — Lisa McMann

Carrie doesn't seem to talk about anything with sharp edges. Maybe she's afraid they might poke her and then she'd burst. — Lisa McMann

If you want to touch me, Kendall, touch me. Don't hide behind those little girl slaps. — Lisa McMann

DONT DIE!
-Clive — Lisa McMann

Janie calls Cabel.
"Hi, uh, Mom," she says.
Cabel snorts. "Hello, dear. Did you make it through the blizzard?"
"Yeah. Barely." Janie grins into the phone. — Lisa McMann

If I know the outcome is not going to devastate my life, it makes me so much more excited for everything that's to come. — Sara McMann

Captain looks at Janie closely. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," she says. "You're gonna have a heck of a shiner by the time the day's over. Did you black our?"
"I ... uh ... " Janie shrugs. "I really have no idea."
"Yes, I think she did." Cabel cuts in. "I'm going to need to watch her all day. And probably all night, too," he adds. Very, very seriously.
The captain throws a rubber eraser at him and sends him out for coffee. — Lisa McMann

Seriously, I dreamed that I was in my husband's dream, watching what he was dreaming about. Like, I was in his dream as an onlooker. It was so weird that I immediately wrote it down in the middle of the night. In the morning, it still sounded cool. — Lisa McMann

Do you still love me, Janie?'
Janie stares at him, incredulous. 'Yes, of course! I don't say it lightly.'
'Say it lightly in my ear,' he demands.
She smiles, rests her soft cheek on his scratchy one, and whispers it. 'I love you, Cabe. — Lisa McMann

Darcy hadn't thought so at first, but he was beginning to suspect his wife might have something akin to opinions of her own. As — Renata McMann

You - best secret boyfriend ever. — Lisa McMann

I want to tell you a story, Alex."
Alex nibbled on his bottom lip, waiting. Wondering now if Mr. Today really understood that Alex was turning him down.
"Simber." The old mage said.
Alex automatically turned to the door, expecting to see the beast.
Mr. Today shook his head. "No, he's not hear. Simber was my first creation. Before there was Artime, there was Simber. — Lisa McMann

I smile and blush, and weave my way back through the dog room to the lobby and into the cat room, because when a boy with two kittens says he loves you, you do whatever you can to get to him as quickly as possible. — Lisa McMann

WAKE
Dealing with an alcoholic single mother and endless hours of working at Heather Nursing Home to raise money for college, high-school senior Janie Hannagan doesn't need more problems. But inexplicably, since she was eight years old, she has been pulled in to people's dreams, witnessing their recurring fears, fantasies and secrets. Through Miss Stubin at Heather Home, Janie discovers that she is a dream catcher with the ability to help others resolve their haunting dreams. After taking an interest in former bad boy Cabel, she must distinguish between the monster she sees in his nightmares and her romantic feelings for him. And when she learns more about Cabel's covert identity, Janie just may be able to use her special dream powers to help solve crimes in a suspense-building ending with potential for a sequel. McMann lures teens in by piquing their interest in the mysteries of the unknown, and keeps them with quick-paced, gripping narration and supportive characters. — Lisa McMann

Cabel smiles and hangs up. "Guess what."
What," Janie says.
We can go out on our first date."
Woo hoo!"
And guess what else- You're buying."
Me? Why?"
Because you lost the bet."
Janie thinks for a moment. Punches Cabel in the arm. "You did not fail five quizzes or tests!"
I did. I have proof. — Lisa McMann

Oh baby, he whispers. Steps back. Out of the doorway. His face ashen. He walks slowly back to the kitchen. Leans over the counter. Puts his head in his hands. His hair falls over his fingers.
The bathroom door clicks shut.
She stays there for a long time.
He's pulling his hair out. — Lisa McMann