The art of fiction is one of constant seduction. You must persuade the reader on page 1 to start reading - on page 50, or page 150 and yes, on page 8… - Marge Piercy

The point of creating futures is to get people to imagine what they want and don’t want to happen down the road – and maybe do something about it.

Beth was looking in the mirror of her mother's vanity. The mirror had wings that opened and shut. When she was little she used to like to pull them together around her into a cave of mirrors with only a slit of light. It isn't me, isn't me. Well, who else would it be, stupid? Isn't anyone except Bride: a dress wearing a girl.

Each good novel has a vision of its world that informs what is put in and what is left out.