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Alan Dean Foster Quotes

Powerful Alan Dean Foster for Daily Growth

About Alan Dean Foster

Alan Dean Foster (born May 18, 1946) is an American science fiction, fantasy, and media tie-in novelist, as well as a screenwriter and translator. Born in New York City, he grew up in the Chicago area and later studied at Michigan State University, where he graduated with degrees in both English and Anthropology. Foster's writing career began in the 1960s when he started contributing to various science fiction magazines such as Galaxy Science Fiction, Amazing Stories, and Worlds of If. His first published novel, "The Tar-Aiym Krang," was released in 1972, and it introduced his popular humanoid alien race, the Spaceships. Influenced by authors like Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, and Robert A. Heinlein, Foster's work often combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and adventure. His most notable works include the "Spellsinger" series, the "Pip & Flinx" series, and the "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" novelization, which was his first major media tie-in novel. Foster's career has also included screenwriting for various film and television projects, including "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," and the original "Alien" novelization. His translations of works by authors such as Clive Barker, Koji Suzuki, and H.P. Lovecraft have also garnered him acclaim. Throughout his career, Foster has been recognized for his contributions to science fiction and fantasy literature with numerous awards and nominations. He continues to write and publish new works today, maintaining a prolific output that spans multiple genres. His unique blend of humor, adventure, and imaginative world-building continues to captivate readers worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The universe is a big place. Perhaps it is finding its own way to be."

This quote by Alan Dean Foster suggests that the universe, with all its mysteries and complexities, may not require any explicit guidance or direction from an external force. Instead, it has its own inherent nature and mechanisms, evolving and unfolding according to its unique properties and laws, as if finding its own way to exist and become what it is. It implies a sense of self-determination and organic development within the cosmos, hinting at the beauty and wonder hidden in the natural processes governing our universe.

"It's hard to remember how vulnerable and empty this life can make you feel until you have children... You forget that at some time, you were powerless as they are now."

This quote by Alan Dean Foster highlights the transformative effect of parenthood. It suggests that becoming a parent brings a newfound awareness of one's own vulnerability and emotional exposure, as well as a profound realization of the powerlessness experienced during our early years. Essentially, it underscores the profound impact children have on shaping their parents' understanding of life and humanity, by reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities and interconnectedness.

"To understand the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency, and vibration."

This quote by Alan Dean Foster suggests that to comprehend the universe, one should consider it not only as a static entity but also as an energetic, dynamic system. The 'energy' here refers to the potential or kinetic energy present in all matter and forces within the universe. 'Frequency' might be interpreted as the rhythm or pattern of these energies, while 'vibration' implies the continuous movement or oscillation of energy at different frequencies. In essence, Foster is encouraging us to view the universe as a symphony of energetic patterns in constant motion.

"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope."

This quote emphasizes the importance of imagination and fantastical thinking in our lives. Just as viewing an object through a telescope inverts its image, fantasy allows us to view life from a different perspective, one that is often distorted but revealing in unexpected ways. It encourages us to question the norms, explore the extraordinary, and envision possibilities beyond our everyday reality. In short, fantasizing is a means to enrich our understanding of life.

"Language is a procession of symbols that marches along on the back of sound."

This quote by Alan Dean Foster emphasizes the symbolic nature of language, suggesting that it's not just about sounds but rather the meaning behind those sounds (symbols). Language is a dynamic, evolving system where words, phrases, and sentences represent abstract concepts and ideas, allowing for communication and understanding among individuals. In essence, the quote captures the interplay between sound (the marching procession) and meaning (the symbols it carries) in human language.

Besides the mistakes that are pointed out, I love the way readers become involved with the characters. When readers start asking about character motivations instead of concentrating on the special effects, it means you're connecting with them on a personal level.

- Alan Dean Foster

Love, Asking, Concentrating, Pointed

In one book, CACHALOT, just for my own amusement, every character is based directly on someone I have known.

- Alan Dean Foster

Book, My Own, Based, Directly

I enjoy listening to classical music and heavy metal. I play basketball and try to go diving at least once a year. I don't really have hobbies in the traditional sense... I engage in too many activities already through the actions of my characters.

- Alan Dean Foster

Play, Year, Through, Play Basketball

There's certainly more new SF available than when I started writing. That means there's also more bad SF available. Whether there is also more good is a matter for future historians of the field.

- Alan Dean Foster

New, Certainly, Means, SF

Advances have fallen, generally, for everything except the biggest potential bestsellers. Given all the changes, both economic and technological, SF hasn't done too badly.

- Alan Dean Foster

Changes, Badly, Given, SF

Writing allows me the time to travel and see the world, which is what I always wanted to do. I'd really like to have been Sir Richard Francis Burton, but it's the wrong century.

- Alan Dean Foster

Always, Which, Richard, Francis

Growing up, I never gave a thought to being a writer. All I ever wanted to be was a traveler and explorer. Science-fiction allowed me to go places that were otherwise inaccessible, which is why I started reading it. I was going to be a lawyer, but I got saved.

- Alan Dean Foster

Thought, Saved, Inaccessible, Explorer

Dawn was written well before 9/11. People speak a lot today about the banality of evil, but not all evil is banal. Some of it is carefully structured and well-thought-out. That's where the real danger lies.

- Alan Dean Foster

Some, Before, Carefully, Structured

I usually do one con a year as a GoH and try to make the World Fantasy Convention for business purposes. Last year I went to a worldcon for the first time in two decades. I may go again this year.

- Alan Dean Foster

Year, Con, Last Year, Decades

Living gives you a better understanding of life. I would hope that my characters have become deeper and more rounded personalities. Wider travels have given me considerably greater insight into how cultural differences affect not only people, but politics and art.

- Alan Dean Foster

Politics, Affect, Wider, Personalities

I have a bad tendency to get rapidly bored with my own material, so rewriting is hard for me. I mean, I already know the story and would rather read something new.

- Alan Dean Foster

New, Bad, Read, Bored

I see the Jedi mission as giving up a normal life in exchange for protecting the innocent. It's a life of sacrifice. There are rewards, but also a certain degree of sterility.

- Alan Dean Foster

Innocent, Normal, Protecting, Jedi

The overwhelming triumph of the international multimedia conglomerate has resulted in less diversity within the field and has made it much harder for newer writers not only to break in, but to make any kind of a living while doing so.

- Alan Dean Foster

Doing, Triumph, Resulted, Overwhelming

Getting inside the mind of a terrorist wasn't difficult at all. Even as children, human beings fabricate elaborate revenge fantasies. We're not a particular species. Check out popular video games.

- Alan Dean Foster

Video, Elaborate, Fantasies, Terrorist

Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting.

- Alan Dean Foster

Freedom, Chaos, Better, Lighting

I write early in the morning, usually after reading portions of at least half a dozen newspapers on the web.

- Alan Dean Foster

I Write, Half, Least, Newspapers

I hear entire symphonies, oratorios, in my head, but I can't write a note.

- Alan Dean Foster

Head, Note, Entire, Symphonies

Keep writing. Try to do a little bit every day, even if the result looks like crap. Getting from page four to page five is more important than spending three weeks getting page four perfect.

- Alan Dean Foster

Every Day, Perfect, Weeks, Crap

I've been writing full-time since 1978.

- Alan Dean Foster

Writing, Been, Since, Full-Time

Don't try to write to the trend of the moment.

- Alan Dean Foster

Moment, Try, Write, Trend

How much research I have to do depends on the nature of the story. For fantasy, none at all.

- Alan Dean Foster

Depends, How, How Much, Fantasy

I try to challenge myself as much as possible, as often as possible.

- Alan Dean Foster

Myself, Try, Often, Challenge

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