--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was seven or eight years old, I…" description: "\"When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the science-fiction magazines that were brought by guests into my grandparents' boarding house in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/ray-bradbury-75_amazing_when-i-was-seven-or-eight-years-old-i-be_2804337.jpg" --- # When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the… ![“When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the science-fiction magazines that were brought by guests into my grandparents' boarding house in Waukegan, Illinois. Those were the years when Hugo Gernsback was publishing 'Amazing Stories,' with vivid, appallingly imaginative cover paintings…” quote by Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/ray-bradbury-75_amazing_when-i-was-seven-or-eight-years-old-i-be_2804337.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/ray-bradbury-75_amazing_when-i-was-seven-or-eight-years-old-i-be_2804337.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42b/ray-bradbury-75_amazing_when-i-was-seven-or-eight-years-old-i-be_2804337.jpg) > “When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the science-fiction magazines that were brought by guests into my grandparents' boarding house in Waukegan, Illinois. Those were the years when Hugo Gernsback was publishing 'Amazing Stories,' with vivid, appallingly imaginative cover paintings that fed my hungry imagination.” [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early exposure to vivid sci‑fi art sparked his imagination and shaped his creative path. **In simple terms:** Reading sci‑fi magazines ignited his imagination. Key Takeaway Seek inspiring media to fuel creativity. Themes creativity inspiration literature Mood nostalgic enthusiastic Type literary creative When to use this quote - writing workshops - reading classic sci‑fi - art appreciation sessions Key Concepts imagination storytelling visual art Questions to Reflect On - What media sparked your imagination? - How can you nurture that spark? A Different Perspective Modern media may not have the same impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amazing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazing/) [Amazing Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazing-stories-618240/) [Began](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/began/) [Boarding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boarding/) [Boarding house](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boarding-house/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Brought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brought/) [Cover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cover/) [Eight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eight/) [Fed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fed/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Fiction Magazines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction-magazines-1551578/) [Gernsback Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gernsback-publishing-3473909/) [Grandparents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandparents/) [Guests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guests/) [House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/house/) [Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hugo/) [Hungry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hungry/) [Illinois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illinois/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imaginative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginative/) [Imaginative Cover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imaginative-cover-3473910/) [Magazines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magazines/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Paintings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paintings/) [Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/publishing/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Seven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seven/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Those](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/those/) [Vivid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vivid/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-hugo-3011462/) ## Related quotes > [“I haven’t been a good guest in Hugo’s life. I access his memories and discover that he and Austin first became boyfriends at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-haven-t-been-a-good-guest-in-hugo-s-life-i-access-his-memories-and/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [The traditional route to success in science fiction is by making a name for yourself in short fiction, so people who read science fiction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-j-sawyer/the-traditional-route-to-success-in-science-fiction-is-by-making-a/) [Robert J. Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-j-sawyer/) > [I've loved science fiction ever since I was a little kid, mainly from looking at the covers of science-fiction magazines and books, and I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-groening/i-ve-loved-science-fiction-ever-since-i-was-a-little-kid-mainly-from/) [Matt Groening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-groening/) > [I finally decided one day, reading science fiction magazines of the time, I could do at least as well as some of these people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-saberhagen/i-finally-decided-one-day-reading-science-fiction-magazines-of-the/) [Fred Saberhagen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-saberhagen/) > [My maternal granddad, Leonard, was full of amazing stories. He was an orphan, with 11 or 12 brothers and sisters, and he used to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-cullum/my-maternal-granddad-leonard-was-full-of-amazing-stories-he-was-an/) [Jamie Cullum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-cullum/) > [While they'd be setting up shots, suddenly, there were 17 make-up chicks, just listening to Marlon telling these amazing stories that were probably lies.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/while-they-d-be-setting-up-shots-suddenly-there-were-17-make-up/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [I want to tell amazing stories that inspire, that bring you out of your reality, give you dreams to be bigger and better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-golding/i-want-to-tell-amazing-stories-that-inspire-that-bring-you-out-of/) [Henry Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-golding/) > [There are some amazing stories from all over this country, where people's work and contribution has been acknowledged. To be part of that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/there-are-some-amazing-stories-from-all-over-this-country-where/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [Some of the most amazing stories are happening on the global scene. My extraordinary producing partner, Joslyn Barnes, she's just virtually changed my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-glover/some-of-the-most-amazing-stories-are-happening-on-the-global-scene-my/) [Danny Glover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-glover/) > [My family sits around and tells all these amazing stories of pirates and the wa. Then one day I'm having a beer after shooting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anh-do/my-family-sits-around-and-tells-all-these-amazing-stories-of-pirates/) [Anh Do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anh-do/) > [Solomon Northup is one of the most remarkable people I've ever encountered in my life; one of the most amazing stories I have ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/solomon-northup-is-one-of-the-most-remarkable-people-i-ve-ever/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [I love all that stuff like 'Tales From The Crypt,' 'Twlight Zone,' and 'Amazing Stories.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-fogler/i-love-all-that-stuff-like-tales-from-the-crypt-twlight-zone-and/) [Dan Fogler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-fogler/) > [Sonya is the way she is for a reason and I love enlightening the fans on what those things are because so many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/sonya-is-the-way-she-is-for-a-reason-and-i-love-enlightening-the-fans/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I see a lot of people who have amazing stories but have been told that their work, their lives, and their stories and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-adiele/i-see-a-lot-of-people-who-have-amazing-stories-but-have-been-told/) [Faith Adiele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-adiele/) > [We discovered a person in Lagos who had a fish stall, and within a single square metre she carried two children all the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rem-koolhaas/we-discovered-a-person-in-lagos-who-had-a-fish-stall-and-within-a/) [Rem Koolhaas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rem-koolhaas/) ## More by Ray Bradbury > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Do you ever read any of the books you burn?" He laughed. "That's against the law!" "Oh. Of course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/do-you-ever-read-any-of-the-books-you-burn-he-laughed-that-s-against/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [There's no reason to burn books if you don't read them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/there-s-no-reason-to-burn-books-if-you-don-t-read-them/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [We were put here as witnesses to the miracle of life. We see the stars, and we want them. We are beholden to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-were-put-here-as-witnesses-to-the-miracle-of-life-we-see-the-stars/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [Remember, with writing, what you’re looking for is just one person to come up and tell you, 'I love you for what you do.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/remember-with-writing-what-you-re-looking-for-is-just-one-person-to/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/as-a-result-of-reading-science-fiction-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“You can’t learn to write in college. It’s a very bad place for writers because the teachers always think they know more than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-can-t-learn-to-write-in-college-it-s-a-very-bad-place-for-writers/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [We're going to become the martians when we land there. When we explore and build communities, we become the martians. That's a wonderful destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-re-going-to-become-the-martians-when-we-land-there-when-we-explore/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I wish you a wrestling match with your Creative Muse that will last a lifetime. ... I wish craziness and foolishness and madness upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-wish-you-a-wrestling-match-with-your-creative-muse-that-will-last-a/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [The library is the biggest cracker box factory in the world. The more you eat, the more you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/the-library-is-the-biggest-cracker-box-factory-in-the-world-the-more/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [We travel for romance, we travel for architecture, and we travel to be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/we-travel-for-romance-we-travel-for-architecture-and-we-travel-to-be/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college. People should educate themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/i-spent-three-days-a-week-for-10-years-educating-myself-in-the-public/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [If we try to deny the darkness in our souls then we'll become completely dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/if-we-try-to-deny-the-darkness-in-our-souls-then-we-ll-become/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [But remember that the Captain belongs to the most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom, the solid unmoving cattle of the majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/but-remember-that-the-captain-belongs-to-the-most-dangerous-enemy-to/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) [Explore all 1,520 Ray Bradbury quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) ## More Amazing quotes > [My favorite galaxy of all is called the Sombrero, NGC 4594. It's an amazing galaxy that is really two galaxies in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-faber/my-favorite-galaxy-of-all-is-called-the-sombrero-ngc-4594-it-s-an/) [Sandra Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-faber/) > [I don't own designer clothes, or a sports car, or a huge house, but I am seeing the world, experiencing amazing things, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roz-savage/i-don-t-own-designer-clothes-or-a-sports-car-or-a-huge-house-but-i-am/) [Roz Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roz-savage/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [Yoga's an amazing release.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-keena/yoga-s-an-amazing-release/) [Monica Keena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-keena/) > [I struggled and I did theater for 10 years, for 15 years, I tried to get little parts here and there in TV shows.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-tupper/i-struggled-and-i-did-theater-for-10-years-for-15-years-i-tried-to/) [James Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-tupper/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [Literally every person in my life is so amazing. I even don't understand how I am so blessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/literally-every-person-in-my-life-is-so-amazing-i-even-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I got to travel a lot and meet amazing people. That was a lot of fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhavish-aggarwal/i-got-to-travel-a-lot-and-meet-amazing-people-that-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Bhavish Aggarwal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhavish-aggarwal/) > [Under Thatcher, who ruled us with an iron rod, great art was made. Amazing designers and musicians. Acid house was born. Very colourful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/under-thatcher-who-ruled-us-with-an-iron-rod-great-art-was-made/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [A stadium tour would be amazing - that's definitely one of my goals. Just to keep putting out real, honest music that people can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daya/a-stadium-tour-would-be-amazing-that-s-definitely-one-of-my-goals/) [Daya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daya/) > [I definitely want to put together an amazing debut album with some really dreamy collaborations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-runway/i-definitely-want-to-put-together-an-amazing-debut-album-with-some/) [Bree Runway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-runway/) > [So crazy to think that we have only known each other 2 years. its been so amazing and we have got to do so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/one-direction/so-crazy-to-think-that-we-have-only-known-each-other-2-years-its-been/) [One Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/one-direction/) > [I saw Frank Frazetta's art, and it seared on my memory. I love his paintings. They're so amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-momoa/i-saw-frank-frazetta-s-art-and-it-seared-on-my-memory-i-love-his/) [Jason Momoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-momoa/) > [When you're true to who you are, amazing things happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/when-you-re-true-to-who-you-are-amazing-things-happen/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [I want to continue to produce film, television, and theater, and to make the most amazing music that I've made in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-keys/i-want-to-continue-to-produce-film-television-and-theater-and-to-make/) [Alicia Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alicia-keys/) [Browse all 6,502 Amazing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was seven or eight years old, I began to read the science-fiction magazines that were brought by guests into my grandparents' boarding house in Waukegan, Illinois. 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