“As a science fiction writer, it's hard to think of a more stirring the...” — Alastair Reynolds Quote

“As a science fiction writer, it's hard to think of a more stirring theme than the origin and ultimate destiny of life in the universe.”

“Ideas have a certain gestation period that can't be forced.”

“When I was a kid, I was reliably informed that we'd have gone to Mars by 1985, and of course it's 2012, and we're still really no closer to a human expedition to Mars, but that shouldn't detract from the amazing achievements that are being done on a day-to-day basis by robotic envoys.”

“When you're writing stuff that's already clotted with neologisms and trying to get across fairly abstruse concepts, you're already putting a heavy burden on the reader.”

“We live in a science fictional world with things like cloning and face transplants, and things seem to be getting stranger and stranger.”

“In some respects, big ideas can be a bit too big for a short story - especially if you've only got a couple of thousand words to play with, and you need room for other stuff, like character, description.”

“We create our own destiny.”

“We're really, like, big fans of Destiny's Child.”

“Many of the most important and life-changing moments of my life occurred when I was a young man. The lessons I learned then formed my character and shaped my destiny.”

“I believe in letting each person find what they need and not getting involved with their destiny.”

“I escaped my destiny. The odds were that I would end up in prison, but I didn't.”

“People always say, 'When you left... ' I hate when people say, 'When you left.' Why would I leave Destiny's Child? Ask yourself that before saying that. I didn't leave. It was a decision that was made, and that's the end of that.”