Christine Kallner

“I struggle each day not to let the fear of the censor poison my writing. Where the censor rules, a dull sameness creeps into books.”
― Harry Mazer, Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers

“That's all we writers have, anyway; our minds and imaginations. To allow censors even the tiniest space in there with us can only lead to dullness, imitation, and mediocrity.”
― Norma Fox Mazer, Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers

“Parents and other who complain often do so out of deep beliefs or convictions, and often in an effort to "protect" young people from influences they believe are harmful. Of course, no one wants to subject students to harmful influences. But given the wide range of opinion, if everyone had the right to veto what he or she didn't like, nothing much would be left.”
― Joan Bertin, Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers

“Some of the choices teenagers make are morally and practically wrong. Some of my characters do things I hope my child won't. There are occasionally words my characters choose that I wouldn't utter in my mother's presence. But when I was sixteen, or twelve, hanging out with my friends? That was different. For a story to feel real, I have to respect what a character would really do or say.”
― Rachel Vail, Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers