Historical fiction Quote by John Jakes

“Why did people ignore the lessons of history and their own senses, deny a law of life immutable as the seasons, and erect twisted…

— John Jakes

The house burned an hour before midnight on the last day of April. The wild, distant ringing of the fire bells woke George Hazard.…

— John Jakes

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.

— John Jakes

No writer should minimize the factor that affects everyone, but is beyond control: luck.

— John Jakes

The first treasure California began to surrender after the Gold Rush as the oldest: her land.

— John Jakes

“Yet how strong was friendship? Could it banish disagreement over a fundamental issue of human liberty—as if the issue and the disagreement didn’t exist?”

— John Jakes

Be persistent. Editors change; tastes change; editorial markets change. Too many beginning writers give up too easily.

— John Jakes

Guilty she might be. But what human being was not? There were things in her past she needn't be ashamed of, things to be…

— John Jakes

Going after anything worthwile in life entailed risk, of course. A man of ambition and courage didn't let that stop or delay him. A…

— John Jakes

The pain comes from knowing that we have never been safe, and therefore will never be safe again. It comes from knowing we can…

— John Jakes

We are all dying of life.

— John Jakes

Spend as much time as you can with your mouth shut and your eyes and ears open.

— John Jakes