Chris Crutcher Quotes

Powerful Chris Crutcher for Daily Growth

About Chris Crutcher

Chris Crutcher, born on June 13, 1946, in Spokane, Washington, is an acclaimed American novelist recognized for his poignant young adult literature that addresses complex social issues. Raised by a single mother in Spokane, Crutcher's upbringing significantly influenced his writing, as he often incorporates themes of family, identity, and overcoming adversity into his works. Crutcher attended Eastern Washington University and later the University of Oregon, where he studied physical education and coaching. However, his passion for writing led him to pursue a career in literature instead. His debut novel, "Running Loose," published in 1978, introduced the world to his distinctive style of blending sports with profound social commentary. One of Crutcher's most celebrated works, "Whale Talk" (1999), tells the story of a diverse group of high school students who form a rugby team to compete in a national championship. The novel explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the power of community, earning numerous awards and recognition. Crutcher's works are often raw, honest, and unapologetic, tackling topics such as sexuality, drug abuse, and mental health. His writing has been recognized for its authenticity and ability to resonate with young readers. Crutcher himself has spoken openly about his own struggles with mental illness and addiction, which he incorporates into his work to offer a realistic portrayal of teenage life. Throughout his career, Chris Crutcher has received numerous honors for his contributions to young adult literature, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Washington State Book Award. His works continue to inspire and challenge readers, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of adolescence.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The truth is that every time we try to protect ourselves, we wind up losing something we can't afford to lose."

This quote suggests that while attempting to safeguard ourselves or our interests, there may be unintended consequences leading to the loss of valuable aspects such as experiences, relationships, growth, or even essential freedoms. It underscores the importance of striking a balance between protection and exposure, recognizing that vulnerability can foster personal development and connection with others.


"Hurt people hurt people."

This quote emphasizes that those who have experienced pain or harm may inflict similar suffering on others, often unconsciously. It suggests a cycle where emotional wounds can lead to further damage in relationships and interactions, highlighting the importance of empathy, healing, and understanding as crucial elements for fostering kindness and compassion in society.


"Sometimes it takes a really long time for the universe to get the message that you don't want something, and then when it finally does get the message, it just pours it all on you at once."

This quote by Chris Crutcher suggests that sometimes we may persistently resist or avoid certain situations, experiences, or things for a long time, but eventually, despite our efforts, these unwanted elements may accumulate and flood our lives suddenly. It's a poignant reminder that resisting change or evading reality can only delay the inevitable, and ultimately, we must face our destiny.


"It's hard to feel sorry for someone who can feel so much joy."

This quote suggests empathy is more likely to be extended towards individuals who experience a range of emotions, both positive and negative. It implies that the capacity to feel intense joy makes it understandable that they might also experience pain or difficulty, thus making their struggles less extraordinary and more relatable. The quote subtly encourages us not to judge those who are able to feel deeply, as their ability to find joy does not make them immune to hardship.


"I think the biggest lie we ever tell ourselves is that we will be happy if only we could get one more thing. The truth is, happiness comes from what we do with what we have, not from what we might get or wish we had."

This quote by Chris Crutcher emphasizes the misconception that material possessions or achieving specific goals are the keys to ultimate happiness. Instead, he suggests that true happiness stems from how one uses their current circumstances and resources. Essentially, the message is that contentment doesn't come from chasing more; it comes from finding joy in what we already have and the actions we take with those resources.


If we're going to make a real dent in the bullying issue, we're going to have to address the bullies themselves: find ways to help empower them that don't include allowing them to be predators or to simply be punished.

- Chris Crutcher

Include, Address, Predators, Bullies

If I have any complaints about my youth... one is that many well-meaning adults lied to me. Not spiteful lies with malicious intent but lies designed to prevent emotional and psychological pain - lies told by the people who cared about me most: my parents, teachers, relatives.

- Chris Crutcher

Youth, About, Psychological, Intent

In 2004, one of my books, 'Whale Talk,' was chosen as an all-school read in Fowlerville, Michigan, a rural town not far from Detroit. They had done what I thought was a brilliant and innovative thing: decided to teach the book in every discipline, sophomores through seniors.

- Chris Crutcher

Thought, Seniors, Through, Detroit

Censors can make a case for zero tolerance in language. They can make the argument that since we don't allow our children to use that language in schools, we also shouldn't give them stories in which it is used.

- Chris Crutcher

Give, Allow, Which, Tolerance

By the time a kid goes to college, if he's taking math or science, at least he knows, or you hope he knows, some basics. But if you're teaching history in college, you have a lot of damage to undo. You basically have to start over because so much of what a kid has already learned is just wrong.

- Chris Crutcher

College, Some, By The Time, Undo

If you've seen 'Friday Night Lights' - that was just like my town.

- Chris Crutcher

Like, Town, Friday Night, Friday

I am for anything that makes teens visible in an honest way... in other words, anything that represents them the way they are, positively or negatively.

- Chris Crutcher

Other, Visible, Makes, Negatively

I was pretty anti-academic, and I wasn't much of a student. I had a really short attention span and did not get a lot out of high school academically. I think college was a little the same way.

- Chris Crutcher

College, Student, I Think, Attention Span

'Deadline' is the story of a young man forced to discover who he is, and what's important in life, during the short span of his senior year in high school.

- Chris Crutcher

Discover, Young, Senior Year, Span

It seems to me if you don't know anything about child development you shouldn't intimate in your 'reporting' that you do.

- Chris Crutcher

Development, About, Intimate, Reporting

The value of a story like 'Deadline' is kids get to look at death at the perfect distance. They can put the book down. They can experience the story, rub up against it, but it's not real life.

- Chris Crutcher

Death, Distance, Perfect, Deadline

The premise of 'Deadline' forced me to go against my own grain with a character determined to find all that is valuable in that time. I believe this is a story about redemption; how, even with the best intentions, it's sometimes found and sometimes not.

- Chris Crutcher

Own, Against, Forced, Deadline

I have made a career of creating characters who fight school authority and chomp at the bit to get out into the 'real' world and live their lives, mostly because that's the kind of teenager I was.

- Chris Crutcher

Career, Mostly, Bit, Teenager

Certainly working with teens keeps me up to date with language and with certain kinds of thinking. I often feel like I have to go back to that 17-year-old Chris Crutcher, and that forms the core voice. I can draw on teens from 1964 to 2001 to find a part of the voice I need.

- Chris Crutcher

Voice, Date, Part, Forms

Athletics carries its own set of truths, and those truths are diminished when manipulated by people with agendas.

- Chris Crutcher

Set, Diminished, Carries, Athletics

What I hope my writing reflects... is a sense of the connections between all human beings... and a different perspective on the true nature of courage. For me, those are things worth exploring and writing about.

- Chris Crutcher

Hope, Courage, About, Reflects

Any writer my age almost can't get away from being influenced by Kurt Vonnegut, partially because of his simple, clear way of stating things. To read Vonnegut is to learn how to use economy words.

- Chris Crutcher

Influenced, Away, Almost, Kurt

When you're watching somebody read your material and they smile and nod, you know you've found that place where your experience and their experience match, even though they aren't the same exact experience.

- Chris Crutcher

Nod, Read, Though, Exact

My first book, 'Running Loose', was censored back in 1983 or '84. Every book I've written since has been censored somewhere.

- Chris Crutcher

Book, Back, Been, Loose

'Whale Talk' is a tough book, but it is also a compassionate book about telling the truth and about redemption. I didn't draw the tough parts out of thin air; they are stories handed to me by people in pain.

- Chris Crutcher

Pain, Stories, Telling, Compassionate

My years as a therapist working with abuse and neglect families taught me at least one important lesson for my own life. Never judge until you can see through the eyes of that person you are judging, and then... never judge.

- Chris Crutcher

Own, Through, Abuse, At Least One

Being an outsider means not being heard, not having a voice. It means being treated as a second-class citizen, being diminished in the eyes of others. We have all felt this way at one time or another, but some feel it more consistently. Unfortunately, our schools often do not embrace the talents of many of their occupants.

- Chris Crutcher

Voice, Some, Another, Outsider

I don't think I'll ever lose the feeling that I had when I read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' - Harper Lee was going back into her childhood. I grew up in a real small town - Lee's was in the South, mine the Northwest - but small towns have a lot in common. There was such a revelation in knowing that a story could be told like that.

- Chris Crutcher

Small, Northwest, South, Small Towns

I have no personal agenda in whether or not a library keeps 'Whale Talk' or 'Athletic Shorts' or any of my books shelved.

- Chris Crutcher

Library, Personal, Any, Agenda

If we are to stop bullying in schools, we have to start with teachers and administrators. If we want to stop it, we have to stop it.

- Chris Crutcher

Teachers, Stop, Schools, Bullying

I think the value in books like mine, and a great number by other talented writers, is in the ability to bring dark subjects into the open where they are not so dark, where they can be talked about and considered by teens and adults alike.

- Chris Crutcher

Other, I Think, Considered, Talented

Certainly working with teens keeps me up to date with language and with certain kinds of thinking.

- Chris Crutcher

Me, Date, Certainly, Keeps

I can't think of a subject that is taboo for me, unless it's one I simply don't know anything about.

- Chris Crutcher

Think, About, Subject, Taboo

The kids you turn your backs on when you take away their stories are the ones who lose, as well as you as a community of adults who may appear to fear their truths.

- Chris Crutcher

Away, May, Stories, Appear

I want to look at this character from all points of view. I know I don't want to make them all good or all bad or all anything... the story itself often helps create the character.

- Chris Crutcher

Want, Bad, Them, Points

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