Brent Weeks Quotes

Powerful Brent Weeks for Daily Growth

About Brent Weeks

Brent Weeks, born on August 19, 1978, is an acclaimed American fantasy author, best known for his intricate and immersive storytelling in epic high-fantasy novels. Growing up in Montana, Weeks developed a love for literature at an early age. He was heavily influenced by the works of Robert Jordan, R.A. Salvatore, and Brandon Sanderson, which sparked his interest in crafting compelling fantasy worlds. After earning a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah, Weeks pursued a career in finance but found it less fulfilling than his passion for storytelling. In 2004, he self-published his debut novel, "The Way of Shadows," the first book in The Night Angel Trilogy. This move was pivotal, as the series went on to become a cult classic among fantasy readers. In 2007, Weeks signed with Orbit Books and re-released "The Way of Shadows." The following year, he published "Shadow's Edge," continuing the story of protagonist Azoth, also known as Durzo Blint, the infamous wetboy assassin. The trilogy concluded with "Beyond the Shadows" in 2010, leaving a lasting impact on the fantasy genre. Weeks continued his success with the Lightbringer series, beginning with "The Black Prism" in 2011. This epic saga follows Gavril, a powerful prism who can see the future and manipulate reality, as he navigates a world beset by political intrigue, war, and magic. The series currently consists of five books, with the latest, "The Burning White," published in 2019. Weeks continues to write captivating fantasy novels, blending complex plots, richly-drawn characters, and imaginative world-building that keeps readers enthralled from start to finish. His works have garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, cementing his place as a significant voice in modern fantasy literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Power is not only violence. Power is the ability to effect change."

This quote suggests that power encompasses more than just the capacity for physical violence or coercion; rather, it refers to the ability to bring about change or influence outcomes in a given situation. It emphasizes the idea that true power lies not only in dominance but also in the potential to shape and transform circumstances, ideas, or people for the better.


"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

This quote emphasizes self-determination and personal growth over introspection. It suggests that instead of passively discovering one's identity, individuals should actively shape their lives, values, and purposes. Essentially, it encourages taking charge of our destiny by creating the person we want to become, rather than merely finding or uncovering who we are supposed to be.


"Words are wind until they are put into action."

This quote highlights that words alone, no matter how eloquent or well-meaning, hold little value unless they lead to action. A promise is empty without fulfillment, advice ineffective without implementation, and encouragement worthless without effort. It emphasizes the importance of translating our intentions into tangible actions for impact and progress.


"Hope was a thing with claws."

The quote by Brent Weeks, "Hope was a thing with claws," suggests that hope can be a powerful yet uncomfortable emotion. It implies that hope, like an animal with sharp claws, can grip us tightly and drive us forward, but it can also cause distress or pain. This perspective underscores the strength and tenacity of hope as well as its potential to wound due to its intensity and anticipation of an uncertain future.


"Sometimes you have to fight for the things you can't see, because they make up the person you are."

This quote suggests that there are intangible aspects of a person, such as values, character traits, or aspirations, which may not be physically visible but significantly contribute to one's identity. The "fight" mentioned here could refer to any struggle or challenge in life, emphasizing the importance of standing up for and defending these essential qualities within ourselves that ultimately shape who we are as individuals.


My writing has a lot of surprising twists.

- Brent Weeks

Writing, Lot, Surprising, Twists

Telling a story is like trying to eat grapes with a fork. It's always trying to get away from you. And if you're a good author, and you've challenged yourself, and you're telling big stories, there's more and more that's trying to get away from you simultaneously.

- Brent Weeks

Big, Away, Telling, Simultaneously

I believe that it's an author's job to cast his imagination into the far spaces. Your life should - and I think it's inescapable that it will - inform your work. I'm all for using anything that can make your art better, but your intuition should be an equal partner.

- Brent Weeks

Believe, I Think, Inform, Spaces

It's easier for me to write certain character types because of my own life experiences, but I find it too artistically limiting to only write about red-headed kids who grew up in small town Montana. That's really part of the fun of fantasy, I think. Our imagination is basically unlimited. Okay, that's a terrifying thing about fantasy, too.

- Brent Weeks

Small, I Think, Terrifying, Montana

I think that fiction is an excellent place for us to struggle with questions of good and evil, and humanity and inhumanity.

- Brent Weeks

Think, I Think, Inhumanity, Struggle

'The Black Prism' is a story about two brothers who respect and fear and admire and contend with and shape each other. In other words, it's a story of normal brothers - who happen to be in extraordinary circumstances.

- Brent Weeks

Normal, Happen, Other, Prism

'The Black Prism' is a story of emperors and prisoners and magic set in a Mediterranean, 1600-esque world. It's a fantasy story; it's fast and fun and inventive.

- Brent Weeks

Magic, Fantasy, Set, Prism

Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.

- Brent Weeks

Sometimes, Yes, Real People, Compliment

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