“I'm not a gentleman,' Toby said. 'I don't think I've ever even seen a gentleman.” — John Brandon Copy Share Image
“[he] had learned how to force his mood, to keep himself in the middle ground, neither manic nor hopeless. He seemed a… — John Brandon Middle ground Copy Share Image
It didn't occur to me that I could be a writer until college. I saw all these people around me training to… — John Brandon College Copy Share Image
“He planned for his son or daughter to have three or four toys, minimal sports equipment, and a thousand books. He didn't… — John Brandon Children Copy Share Image
“Mr. Hibna had been misguided in trying to take the drastic alteration of his life into his own hands. As usual, the… — John Brandon Books Copy Share Image
I don't think about the reader in any conscious way that impacts the writing, as far as, Hey, most readers would like… — John Brandon Books Copy Share Image
I was playing sports all the time, growing up. And then, somewhere around 10th or 11th grade, I kind of lost interest… — John Brandon Grades Copy Share Image
I had an idea to write something set back around the Civil War era, but I was just way too ignorant to… — John Brandon Civil war Copy Share Image
“I've been asleep at the wheel of the American dream.” — John Brandon American dream Copy Share Image
“Why do people keep doing stuff?" he said, talking to himself it seemed. Swin hesitated. "Wiping counters down and taking pictures. Cheating.… — John Brandon Taking action Copy Share Image
I know people who are really talented at writing, and they just don't ever make it happen because they're also good at… — John Brandon Happens Copy Share Image
“Mr Hibma was sick of skinny, smelly, hormone-dazed kids staring at him and lying to him and asking him questions. He was… — John Brandon Copy Share Image
The first time I took a fiction writing class was sophomore year. And I just found myself taking that extremely seriously, in… — John Brandon Class Copy Share Image
“Anybody can justify anything. It's what separates us from animals. It's a waste of time, though, isn't it-sitting around justifying when there's… — John Brandon Time Copy Share Image
Sometimes I would take Nietzsche or something. And I wouldn't read it, but more just scan the words. Sometimes I would get… — John Brandon Books Copy Share Image
“The most rebellious thing a youngster can do is sit outdoors and listen to music. Sitting indoors in detention is about the… — John Brandon Music Copy Share Image
“The paper was stiff. In red ink were the words HYENAS & TWIN TOWERS, and a game plan that called for the… — John Brandon Game plan Copy Share Image
It's nice not to have to worry about applying for things. It's really a different existence. — John Brandon Different Copy Share Image
None of my English teachers in college were praising me or telling me I was anything special. But then in creative writing… — John Brandon Class Copy Share Image
“In middle school, he reminded them, ugly girls are intimidated by pretty girls. Hell, it was this way with adult women. A… — John Brandon Middle school Copy Share Image
