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Diana Wynne Jones Quotes

Powerful Diana Wynne Jones for Daily Growth

About Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones (1934-2011) was a renowned British author of fantasy literature, known for her imaginative storytelling and intricate plotlines. Born in London on August 26, 1934, as the youngest of four children to Sidney and Cornelia Jones, Diana's love for storytelling was nurtured from an early age by her family. Her father, a librarian, encouraged her curiosity for books, while her mother, a former teacher, instilled in her the importance of education. After attending Goldsmiths College, University of London, Jones worked as a teacher herself, using her spare time to write and publish short stories in various magazines and anthologies. However, it was not until 1968 that she published her first novel, "White Magic," which introduced the magical world of Chrestomanci. Jones's works, often characterized by their wit, humor, and intricate plot structures, drew inspiration from a diverse range of sources, including fairy tales, mythology, and classical literature. She was particularly influenced by authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien, Lewis Carroll, and C.S. Lewis, but also sought to challenge the stereotypes and conventions often found in fantasy literature. Throughout her prolific career, Jones wrote more than 30 books, including "Charmed Life" (1977), "Howl's Moving Castle" (1986), and "Fire and Hemlock" (1985). Her most famous work, "Howl's Moving Castle," was adapted into a critically acclaimed animated film by Studio Ghibli in 2004. Jones passed away in March 2011 after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a rich legacy of enchanting stories that continue to captivate readers around the world. Her work continues to be celebrated for its innovative storytelling and enduring appeal to both children and adults alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The future is a mystery to us all."

This quote emphasizes that the future is uncertain for everyone, as we cannot predict with absolute certainty what will happen next. It suggests a sense of humility and acknowledges the inherent unknowability of future events. In essence, it encourages one to embrace the unknown, to be open-minded and adaptable in an ever-changing world.

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."

This quote by Diana Wynne Jones emphasizes the concept that we cannot alter our past choices or experiences, but we have the power to shape our future. It encourages us to take control of our present situation and make positive changes to rewrite our own story's ending, instead of dwelling on the past mistakes or regrets. In essence, it conveys the idea that despite the limitations in altering the past, we always possess the ability to impact and improve our current circumstances for a better future.

"Fate and chance are not as important as hard work—which is why we always blame Fate."

This quote suggests that while events beyond our control (fate or chance) may play a role in shaping our lives, the true determining factor in achieving success is hard work. In other words, it's easy to attribute outcomes to external factors like fate or luck, but ultimately, it's one's own effort and determination that brings about real change and progress. Therefore, when we face challenges or disappointments, rather than passively blaming circumstance, we should instead focus our energy on hard work as a means of overcoming obstacles and shaping our destiny.

"The only thing that makes time pass is wanting to get somewhere."

This quote suggests that our perception of time is subjective, as it seems to move faster when we're engaged in activities or pursuits that excite us, inspire us, or simply interest us – in other words, when we're "wanting to get somewhere". It implies that boredom or aimlessness can lead to the feeling that time is standing still, while purposeful action or ambition propels time forward. Essentially, it highlights the importance of having goals and passions to keep our lives moving and fulfilling.

"Magic happens when you expect it least."

This quote by Diana Wynne Jones suggests that true magic, in both a literary and real-world context, often manifests unexpectedly. It implies that one should remain open to the possibility of magic, as it may appear when we least anticipate or seek it, challenging our preconceived notions and enriching our lives. This idea underscores the importance of embracing the unknown and maintaining a sense of wonder in our everyday experiences.

I mean one of the things about being alone is that you've no people to define yourself off, I mean, people are like all-round mirrors, because let's face it, we don't often see ourselves all round in a mirror anyway, do we.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Mirror, One Of The Things, Round

It seems to me that humour is everybody's way of keeping sane and standing off from the situations so that they can see it intellectually, as well as emotionally, and I don't know whether you've noticed, but if somebody tells a joke, it's nearly always a mini fantasy.

- Diana Wynne Jones

See, Everybody, Nearly, Joke

This is ridiculous, I mean, wholly ridiculous. It never did any child any harm to have something that was a tiny bit above them anyway, and I claim that anyone who can follow Doctor Who can follow absolutely anything.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Harm, Wholly, Them, Claim

Fantasy for me as a kid was real, and I had a fantasy about what life was, whether it was sort of wicked and dire, or wholly normal, or whatever. Anything really close to home is not, it seems to me, what a good book should be about.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Fantasy, Normal, Wholly, Dire

If you take myth and folklore, and these things that speak in symbols, they can be interpreted in so many ways that although the actual image is clear enough, the interpretation is infinitely blurred, a sort of enormous rainbow of every possible colour you could imagine.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Symbols, Myth, Infinitely, Interpreted

Mainly as sort of blueprints for dealing with most of the adults in their lives, to some extent with their fellows. It is this notion of aiming high and there's always hope, aim low and you might as well stop now.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Aim, Some, Extent, Aiming

I do feel very strongly that this is one of the things which people need encouragement to sort out, because I have this very strong feeling that everybody is probably a genius at something, it's just a question of finding this.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Strong, Everybody, Very, Encouragement

This does make me very very careful, particularly in the second draft, to get it right, because you do feel that somebody in the future who may be extremely important for everybody, is going to have me behind them, and this is a responsibility, a huge one.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Behind, Everybody, Very, Draft

Actually, in the wild, we'd be the only person that we wouldn't recognize, if you think about it.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Think, Person, Actually, Wild

And indeed if you think you're a genius at something, what you achieve is very much according to your expectations; if you think you're no good, you're not going to get anywhere.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Think, Going, Very, Expectations

I find it just simply takes me right back to those times, and I really can't take it, I don't want to, I mean, why should I face up to it? What good does it do me? I know it happened, and that's it.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Good, Why, Back, Right Back

I think one of things is that all fantasy it seems to me works the way your brain basically works. This is perhaps a startling concept, but I think it's true.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Think, I Think, Works, Fantasy

It's a lucky child that knows that they're a genius, unaimed and all that.

- Diana Wynne Jones

Child, Lucky, Knows, Genius

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