Jonathan Evison Quotes & Sayings

“As a result of manifest destiny, we gutted our resources.”

“I really believe in challenging myself, pushing myself to new places.”

“I discovered John Fante when I was 17 years old - strangely, not through Charles Bukowski, but through William Saroyan, who was his drinking buddy.”

“After 20 years of writing in basically a vacuum, I love being part of a community. I've vetted other writers' contracts for them and do publicity for free just because I like a book. Some people think of it as hubris or careerism, but I love to champion books. You can't use your whole sphere of influence just to help yourself.”

“You have to find hope. Hope is such a shape shifter. You tend to look in the rearview mirror for hope, but when it's gone, you have to look forward. You have to get in the van and keep driving on.”

“I'm not in the business of meddling with people's destinies - and yes, my characters are real people to me. They have histories and thoughts and yearnings and hurts and misgivings and pleasures that don't belong to me.”

“The jocks that used to stuff me into a locker when I was a punk rocker are my best buddies now.”

“Limited points of view let the writer dispense - and the reader gather - information from various corners of the story. It all becomes a kind of dance, with the writer guiding the reader through the various twists and turns. The challenge is keeping readers in step, while still managing to surprise.”

“I usually write in my underwear, with a space heater running full blast, and three dogs sleeping at me feet.”

“Homesteading is gone.”