J. Michael Straczynski Quotes

Powerful J. Michael Straczynski for Daily Growth

About J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski (often referred to as JMS) is an acclaimed American science fiction writer, television producer, and composer, renowned for his intricate storytelling and thought-provoking themes. Born on July 17, 1954, in Levittown, New York, Straczynski grew up surrounded by comic books and sci-fi novels, which significantly influenced his creative development. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, he began his career writing for various animation series like "G.I. Joe" and "The Real Ghostbusters." However, it was his groundbreaking work on television that catapulted him to fame. In 1992, he created the critically-acclaimed science fiction series, "Babylon 5," which garnered widespread praise for its complex narrative structure, deep characters, and sociopolitical commentary. Straczynski's work on "Babylon 5" led him to create numerous other projects, including the miniseries "Jeremiah," the graphic novel "Rising Stars," and the comic book series "Ten Grand." He also wrote for Marvel Comics, penning landmark stories such as the "Thor: A Goddess Reborn" arc. In 2004, Straczynski took on the daunting task of revitalizing the Spider-Man franchise with the miniseries "The Other," and later penned the acclaimed graphic novel "Supreme Power." He has also made notable contributions to the world of film, including writing the screenplays for the films "Thunderbirds" and "Beowulf." Today, J. Michael Straczynski continues to captivate audiences with his richly-imagined worlds and profound storytelling, cementing his place as a significant figure in the realms of science fiction literature and television.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Stories are secret doors that lead to other worlds and times."

This quote emphasizes the transformative power of stories, suggesting they serve as magical portals transporting us to diverse realms and epochs. By engaging with a story, we can momentarily escape our immediate reality and immerse ourselves in different cultures, histories, or fantasies, thereby enriching our understanding and perspective of the world.

"Never give in, never surrender." - from Babylon 5's "In the Beginning"

The quote "Never give in, never surrender" from Babylon 5 emphasizes resilience, persistence, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. It encourages individuals to stand strong against challenges, not to yield nor back down, and to persevere through difficult circumstances. This quote can inspire courage and hope in any situation where one must fight for their beliefs or aspirations.

"The truth is a caged bird, yearning to fly free."

This quote suggests that the "truth" is a powerful and vital force that seeks freedom, much like a caged bird. Just as a bird's natural instinct is to soar through the skies, truth yearns for openness and honesty. When the truth is confined or suppressed, it creates an uncomfortable and unnatural state, much like a bird trapped in a cage. The quote emphasizes the importance of releasing the truth into the world, allowing it to spread freely, just as a bird flies freely.

"Destiny is not something we embrace. Destiny is something we create."

This quote suggests that destiny, or our future, is not predetermined or outside of our control. Instead, it's a concept we construct through our actions and decisions. In other words, our future is shaped by the choices we make and the paths we choose to follow, implying that we have the power to shape our own destiny. It encourages personal responsibility, self-determination, and the idea that we can create our own fate if we are proactive and take charge of our lives.

"Sometimes it's the people no one can imagine anything of who do things which surprise us all." - from Babylon 5's "Soul Mates"

This quote emphasizes that often, we underestimate individuals with seemingly ordinary lives or abilities because their true potential remains hidden. The people who surprise us the most are those who are unexpectedly capable of remarkable acts or achievements, demonstrating that one's worth should not be judged by initial appearances or expectations. It highlights the importance of appreciating each individual's unique abilities and potential for greatness, regardless of their background or circumstances.

People spend too much time finding other people to blame, too much energy finding excuses for not being what they are capable of being, and not enough energy putting themselves on the line, growing out of the past, and getting on with their lives.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Wisdom, Other, Putting, Blame

I also like to look at the dynamic that takes place between religion and science because, in a way, both are asking the same questions: Who are we? Where do we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? The methodologies are diametrically opposed, but their motivation is the same; the wellspring is the same in both cases.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Motivation, Asking, Here, Diametrically

A story is a story is a story. The only difference is in the techniques you bring to bear. There are always limitations on what you can and can't do. But I enjoy that. Just like when you write a sonnet or haiku, there are rules you have to abide by. And to me, playing within the rules is the fun part. It keeps the brain fresh.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Enjoy, Bring, Part, Sonnet

For a lot of people, Superman is and has always been America's hero. He stands for what we believe is the best within us: limitless strength tempered by compassion, that can bear adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. He stands for what we all feel we would like to be able to stand for, when standing is hardest.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Strength, Other, Been, Superman

Understanding is a three-edged sword. Your side, my side, and the truth.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Truth, Understanding, Side, Sword

Whenever you can bring your chops in as a reporter to unearth a cool story, that's always a good thing.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Cool, Always, A Good Thing, Chops

I like writing. It's partly control freak, and partly I really like what I do for a living. I have the luckiest job in the world. I can get up every day and do what I love for a living.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Love, Living, Like, Luckiest

We are in a tech-heavy society, plunging headlong into an unknown future. Science fiction is what allows you to stand back and analyze the impact of that and put it in context of how it affects people.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Impact, Back, Fiction, Analyze

My house looks like it was decorated by a 14-year old with a platinum American Express card.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Looks, Old, Like, Platinum

We know that if memory is destroyed in one part of the brain, it can be sometimes re-created on a different part of the brain. And once we can unravel that amino chain of chemicals that is responsible for memory, I see no reason why we can't unlock it and, essentially, wipe out what's there.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Memory, Reason, Part, Unravel

When writers don't know what to do with a character, they build up the supporting cast and universe to kind of hide that fact. After a while, you can no longer see the character for the underbrush. When that happens, you need to bring out the weed-whacker to clear some of that away so you can focus on the main character.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Fact, Some, Away, Main Character

Coming from TV and film, rule number one is that you always service the main character first and foremost. If that's not working, you've got nothing.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Always, TV, TV And Film, Main Character

I've always been kind of a mutt creatively. I started off in journalism, and I've actually done more police and procedural shows than I've ever done science fiction shows. I was on 'Murder She Wrote,' I was on 'Walker, Texas Ranger,' I was on 'Jake and the Fat Man.'

- J. Michael Straczynski

Fiction, Been, Ranger, Fat Man

There was a point when comics were considered to be mainly of interest to kids, and it was decided that kids could relate more to someone their own age than an adult. So suddenly all these previously grownup comics were lousy with sidekicks: Aquagirl, Aqualad, Robin, Kid Flash, Speedy, Stripesy... the list goes on.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Speedy, Considered, Comics, Grownup

It's been amazing to watch, because for 'Thor', which was always a mid-selling book, to be in the top ten for every single issue since the reboot is just a great compliment.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Always, Thor, Which, Top Ten

I've always been a science fiction fan since I had understood the conception of what a story was.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Always, Fiction, Been, Conception

Anyone who sets foot into the 'Watchmen' universe and isn't just a little nervous should be given a few days of electroshock therapy. I've always considered 'Watchmen' to be one of the best graphic novels ever written, and when it came out back in 1986 I was as blown away as everyone else. Just masterful.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Away, Masterful, Considered, Watchmen

Here's the miracle: I grew up thinking, 'Wouldn't it be great to write 'Superman' someday? Wouldn't it be great to create my own show, or work on 'Lensman,' or 'Forbidden Planet?' Those were very literally the goals I set for myself, the dreams that I thought I didn't have a chance in hell of ever actually achieving. But it's happened.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Thought, Here, Very, Goals

The point of mythology or myth is to point to the horizon and to point back to ourselves: This is who we are; this is where we came from; and this is where we're going. And a lot of Western society over the last hundred years - the last 50 years really - has lost that. We have become rather aimless and wandering.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Western Society, Hundred, Hundred Years

When you're writing a story in bits and pieces, month in and month out, there really isn't time or space for reflection, no room to learn what those scripts had to teach you.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Reflection, Learn, Teach, Scripts

There are those who seem to feel they have no choice about being jerks in the present because they had a crappy childhood. Well, that's the definition of childhood; nobody gets out alive. You either get stronger from what you experience, or you turn it into a crutch, an excuse, a dodge.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Alive, About, Crappy, Jerks

Every time I got 'Amazing Spider-Man' or 'Fantastic Four' or another book firmly on the rails, we got pulled into some big event book or crossover and it cost momentum and messed badly with the pacing and structure of the book.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Some, Firmly, Badly, Pacing

When it comes down to it, the reason that science fiction endures is that it is, at its core, an optimistic genre. What it says at the end of the day is that there is a tomorrow, we do go on, we don't extinguish ourselves and leave the planet to the cockroaches.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Reason, Fiction, Endures, Science Fiction

A lot of the futuristic space stuff seemed to me to be a very cool form of science-fiction, so that was my first real baptism in the genre.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Cool, Very, Seemed, Science-Fiction

In every other science fiction series, humans are at the top of the food chain. In the 'Babylon 5' universe, they're in the bottom third.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Other, Food Chain, Chain, Science Fiction

To me, science fiction is about the sense of mystery, the sense of awe. Not 'shock and awe', just 'awe.'

- J. Michael Straczynski

Science, Mystery, Fiction, Science Fiction

Take care, don't fight, and remember: if you do not choose to lead, you will forever be led by others. Find what scares you, and do it. And you can make a difference, if you choose to do so.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Choose, Will, Led, Make A Difference

It's really important to me to keep growing as a writer, to look for new challenges and be harshly critical of my own work in order to learn and tell better stories.

- J. Michael Straczynski

New, Critical, Stories, New Challenges

I was born in Patterson, New Jersey, and raised pretty much all around the country. My family tended to move from place to place following economic prospects and jobs and looking for new opportunities, so we changed schools, colleges, grade schools, high schools every 6 months to a year - depending on the breaks.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Country, Year, Prospects, High Schools

Stage-persona notwithstanding, I'm extremely shy and quiet. Almost painfully shy. People misinterpret that as being above it all or not interested.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Shy, Shy People, Almost, Painfully

For me, growing up in a ridiculously poor family living in dead-end neighborhoods, Superman was a deeply personal icon, one that said you can do anything if you put your mind to it. What he stood for formed the core of who I wanted to be as I grew up, and informed how I view the world and my responsibilities to other people.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Icon, Other, Stood, Formed

I am a control freak. I will admit that freely.

- J. Michael Straczynski

I Am, Admit, Freak, Freely

You should do what you enjoy doing, what brings you passion. As kids, we spontaneously sing and dance and tell stories, and along the way, someone comes and says, 'No. You shouldn't be doing that.' And we slowly begin to unlearn our passions. I think you have to hold on to those things.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Doing, Spontaneously, Passions

As kids, we spontaneously sing and dance and tell stories, and along the way, someone comes and says, 'No. You shouldn't be doing that.' And we slowly begin to unlearn our passions. I think you have to hold on to those things.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Doing, Spontaneously, Passions

If a person with a bullet in Dallas can change the world, imagine a person with an idea could do.

- J. Michael Straczynski

World, Dallas, Imagine, Change The World

On a certain level, I don't think there is an answer to what the American way is, because it is constantly being re-defined. It's also been exploited and capitalized upon and politicized by one side or the other to the point that a certain degree of cynicism has attached itself to that term.

- J. Michael Straczynski

American, Other, Been, Certain Level

The only thing that I discovered very early on is that, even though we might change schools and cities and towns and states, the books in the library were the same. They had the same covers. They had the same characters. I could go and visit those people in the library as if I knew them.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Discovered, Very, Had, Visit

For me, there's nothing sexier than a woman who can argue me into the ground and outsmart me... a woman who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to speak it.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Woman, Mind, Nothing, Sexier

Life isn't about the final moments, it's about the journey, it's about process. What makes 'Rocky' work as a movie is seeing him working his way up from the streets to the arena and the fight of his life. You could just show that fight, and it would be great, but seeing that journey illuminates that fight and adds profound meaning to it.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Movie, Streets, Illuminates, His Way

A changeling is one child substituted for another. I couldn't find anything more apt. We had to kind of fight that supernatural element in the publicity, and I offered to try and find another title, but Clint liked it, and it stayed.

- J. Michael Straczynski

More, Clint, Apt, Element

If I feel that I'm not able to do my best work - whether that's my own fault or as a result of an editorial situation - then I need to stop doing it. I would rather not do something than do it badly or ineffectively. It's the only way I can live with myself and do right by the fans in the long haul.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Doing, Rather, Badly, Best Work

Whenever you write for someone else, you're always aware - sometimes overtly, other times at an almost cellular, subliminal level - of the rules about what you can and can't do.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Always, Other, Almost, Subliminal

All love is unrequited. All of it.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Love, Unrequited, Love Is

I'm delirious with joy. It proves that if you confront the universe with good intentions in your heart, it will reflect that and reward your intent. Usually. It just doesn't always do it in the way you expect.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Reward, Will, Always, Intent

I don't need to write comics for a living. I have movies and TV for that. I write comics for one reason and one reason only: I love comics. I love the form, the structure, the storytelling process, I love everything about it.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Love, Reason, TV, Structure

The whole point of Superman, as originally created, was to be the ally of those who had no other allies. It put that magnitude of power, the most powerful guy in the world, in the service of those who had no hope, no chance.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Chance, Other, No Chance, No Hope

To have someone like Clint Eastwood come along and shoot your first draft as written is just any screenwriter's dream. And Clint is very straightforward. If it's good enough to get his attention, it's good enough to produce.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Straightforward, Eastwood, Shoot

On the Internet, inside information is currency, and there will always be counterfeiters among us.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Will, Always, Among, Currency

I've written for every medium except poetry, at which I suck.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Which, Except, Written, Suck

The American Way is an amalgam of our compassion, our strengths, our failings and our attempts to build a better world, a more perfect union.

- J. Michael Straczynski

American, Perfect, More, American Way

Again, one of the problems I have with television, as I mentioned before, is it's trivial in many ways, and I think that a lot of folks out there are looking for new metaphors and new ways of thinking about things.

- J. Michael Straczynski

I Think, Before, About, Metaphors

I wake up every morning knowing how ridiculously lucky I am to be able to do what I love for a living, and that sense of wonder never, ever wears off.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Love, Lucky, Living, Wonder

When I saw Wonder Woman being constantly put in positions where she'd get tied up with her own rope, or held hostage, even as a kid, my reaction was 'C'mon, she's too smart for that.'

- J. Michael Straczynski

Woman, Own, Held, Wonder

I can easily come up with ten really iconic stories/trade paperbacks for Superman, Batman, others... name me ten equally big, iconic Wonder Woman stories. Much harder. That ain't the character's fault, that isn't sexism, that's just not servicing the character.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Woman, Big, Equally, Wonder

The problem with writing a monthly book is that you're going through your work like a man running for a bus, red-faced and out of breath. There isn't time for reflection or critical self-examination.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Reflection, Bus, Through, The Problem With

Growing up as a kid, we moved all over the country on a fairly frequent basis, from New Jersey to Texas, California, Illinois... we moved 21 times in my first 17 years.

- J. Michael Straczynski

New, Country, Over, Jersey

On a purely personal level, it's very strange, because as a kid, Superman informed my personality. Now I've been given the job of forming Superman's personality and, in some ways, drawing on my own background.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Very, Purely, Forming, Personal Level

No dictator, no invader, can hold an imprisoned population by force of arms forever.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Force, Arms, Dictator, Imprisoned

My philosophy: find what it is you want to say, walk in the room, say it, and get the hell out.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Want, Find, Get, Philosophy

Never follow somebody else's path; it doesn't work the same way twice for anyone... the path follows you and rolls up behind you as you walk, forcing the next person to find their own way.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Work, Behind, Next, Forcing

The quality of our thoughts is bordered on all sides by our facility with language.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Thoughts, Language, Our, Sides

When a book of mine comes out, I instantly go hunting the net, not for praise, but for criticism, because that's how you learn, from people who don't have to be polite to you.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Learn, Mine, Polite, Net

I keep waiting for a paradigm shift to happen that will let network and studio execs see that sci-fi is the same as any other genre in terms of how you approach it - logically, character-based, with challenging ideas and forward thinking - but I worry that it might never happen in my lifetime.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Waiting, Other, Studio, Logically

Writing is the process of asking the next logical question.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Process, Question, Next, Logical

Follow your passion. The rest will attend to itself. If I can do it, anybody can do it. It's possible. And it's your turn. So go for it. It's never too late to become what you always wanted to be in the first place.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Too Late, Attend, Anybody, Become

I think that we are already making steps toward mapping out the brain so we can identify the chemical patterns that create and store memory.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Think, Making, I Think, Mapping

I sometimes find reality far more fantastical and unlikely than what I could just make up.

- J. Michael Straczynski

More, Could, Unlikely, Make Up

Writers write for one reason: to create an emotion in the reader, to reach across and make them feel something. You want a reaction. Yeah, it's nicer when the reaction is to throw flowers than it is to throw brickbats, but you have to accept both equally.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Reason, Reach, Reader, Nicer

The whole point of having great characters is the opportunity to explore them more deeply with time, re-interpreting them for each new age.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Explore, New, Having, New Age

Superhero stories are kind of in my DNA from childhood on, so I think I'm genetically drawn to playing in the genre when the opportunity presents itself.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Think, I Think, Stories, Genre

I grew up on comics and cartoons. So, as an adult, I like comics and cartoons.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Cartoons, Like, Comics, Adult

I don't start writing a script until I can see it all in my head, then it's a matter of getting it down in white heat.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Heat, Start, Then, Script

I'm a big believer in the idea that while we are the sum of our tears, we are also the product of our choices in how we deal with those tears.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Product, Big, Deal, Believer

I've made a decision and now I must face the consequences.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Decision, Face, Made, Consequences

When the 'Seinfeld' show said it was going to be a show about nothing, everybody said it couldn't - wouldn't work. It did. 'Thor' is about something, about that character finding his destiny, but it's not doing what was expected... and yet it's doing very well.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Destiny, Very, Thor, Finding

I am a huge zombie fan. I have probably seen the George Romero movies 100 times each, without exaggeration.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Seen, Am, Each, George

I was very clear that I wanted to keep 'Thor' out of the rest of the Marvel universe for no less than the first six issues. And the success of the book, I think, speaks well to that decision.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Rest, Very, Thor, Marvel

Everyone in the entertainment business gets crappy contracts when we start out, and into the middle of our careers. It's the nature of the business.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Business, Middle, Crappy, Careers

I always knew that I was going to be a writer. There was no question in my mind about that.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Mind, Question, Always, No Question

All you can do is focus on telling the best story you can with compelling characters. If you do it right, it will endure. If you do it wrong, it won't.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Will, Telling, Compelling, Endure

There's a lot of comics writers out there whose work I appreciate and who are nice guys. I really want to work with guys I really respect and enjoy.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Work, Want, Comics, Whose

There's a rule of writing: if everything is funny, nothing is funny; if everything is sad, nothing is sad. You want that contrast.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Sad, Writing, Nothing, Contrast

A movie is a movie and a book is a book, and they have different rules.

- J. Michael Straczynski

Book, Different, Movie, Rules

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