“From all we have said about plotting in general it should be evident that even in those modern plots in which events… — John Gardner Little girl Copy Share Image
“Two things can keep the common reader going, argument or story. (Both are always involved, however subtly, in good fiction.)” — John Gardner Books Copy Share Image
“Good writers may “tell” about almost anything in fiction except the characters’ feelings.” — John Gardner Writing Copy Share Image
“Stars, spattered out through lifeless night from end to end, like jewels scattered in a dead king's grave, tease, torment my wits… — John Gardner Astronomy Copy Share Image
“The best way a writer can find to keep himself going is to live off his (or her) spouse. The trouble is… — John Gardner Dependence Copy Share Image
“That is their happiness: they see all life without observing it. They’re buried in it like crabs in mud. Except men, of… — John Gardner Happiness Copy Share Image
“Don’t be fooled by clever hands, sir” the Sunlight Man said. He’d be lying with the back of his head on his… — John Gardner Fat man Copy Share Image
The true artist plays mad with his soul, labors at the very lip of the volcano, but remembers and clings to his… — John Gardner Art Copy Share Image
Self pity is easily the most destructive of the non-pharmaceutical narcotics; it is addictive, gives momentary pleasure and separates the victim from… — John Gardner Addiction Copy Share Image
We know that where community exists in confers upon its members identity, a sense of belonging, and a measure of security. .… — John Gardner Belonging Copy Share Image
Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat. It helps, if you have a plan… — John Gardner Boat Copy Share Image
“A story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something” — John Gardner Computers Copy Share Image
“Go ahead, scoff, he said, petulant. Except in the life of a hero, the whole world's meaningless. The hero sees values beyond… — John Gardner Heroes Copy Share Image
“There is some realm where feelings become birds and dark sky, and spirit is more solid than stone.” — John Gardner Dark sky Copy Share Image
Great things happen nationally when topmost leadership is goaded and supported from below. — John Gardner Great things Copy Share Image
“We human beings glimpse lofty ideals, catch ourselves betraying them, and sink to suicidal despair--despair from which only the love of our… — John Gardner Friendship Copy Share Image
“The writer sensitive to language finds his own metaphors, not simply because he has been taught to avoid clichés but because he… — John Gardner Writing Copy Share Image
“Daemonic compulsiveness can kill as easily as it can save. The true novelist must be at once driven and indifferent. Van Gogh… — John Gardner Not giving up Copy Share Image
“A profound theme is of trifling importance if the characters knocked around by it are uninteresting, and brilliant technique is a nuisance… — John Gardner Deep Copy Share Image
“But dragons, my boy, have a whole different kind of mind.” — John Gardner Psychology Copy Share Image
“Gilgamesh said to him, to Utnapishtim the remote, "What can I do, Utnapishtim? Where can I go? A thief has stolen my… — John Gardner Copy Share Image
“Real suspense comes with moral dilemma and the courage to make and act upon choices. False suspense comes from the accidental and… — John Gardner Courage Copy Share Image
The image-managers encourage the individual to fashion himself into a smooth coin, negotiable in any market. — John Gardner Business Copy Share Image
“We move through a course on Dostoevsky or Poe as we move through a mildly good cocktail party...Art...is less like a cocktail… — John Gardner Art Copy Share Image
