Jack Vance Quotes

Powerful Jack Vance for Daily Growth

About Jack Vance

Jack Vance (1916-2013) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer known for his intricate plots, unique vocabulary, and imaginative worlds. Born on May 28, 1916, in Wyoming, but raised primarily in California, Vance developed a love for storytelling from an early age. His interest in literature was fostered by his grandmother, who regaled him with tales of Greek mythology. In his youth, Vance worked various jobs, including as a sailor and gold prospector, providing rich experiences that often found their way into his works. His first professional publication was the short story "The Worldly Wisdom of Morkar the Maker" in 1944, marking the beginning of an illustrious career spanning nearly seven decades. Vance is best known for his intricate and complex series such as the "Dying Earth" (1950), "The Planet of Adventure" (1953-1962), and "The Lyonesse Trilogy" (1974-1980). His works often feature elaborate languages, detailed social structures, and morally ambiguous characters. One of his most celebrated novels is "The Anome" (1961), a story set on the planet of Tschai, which showcases Vance's skill in world-building and character development. Throughout his life, Vance's works were highly regarded by fellow science fiction authors such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Philip K. Dick, and Ray Bradbury. In 1977, he was awarded the Nebula Grand Master Award for his significant contributions to the genre. Despite suffering from Alzheimer's disease in his later years, Vance continued to write until his death on May 27, 2013. Vance's unique voice and richly imagined worlds continue to captivate readers today, making him one of the most influential figures in the history of science fiction literature. His legacy lives on in the minds of those who have been transported by his tales of far-off planets and ancient civilizations.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Language is a procession of ghosts."

This quote suggests that language, a tool for communication, is not just a collection of words or a static system, but a dynamic entity. It carries the spirits or echoes of thoughts, ideas, cultures, histories, and people who have used it before us. Language thus becomes a procession of these "ghosts", each contributing to its evolution and richness over time.

"The art of writing consists in delivering ideas so unexpectedly that no one can take offense."

This quote by Jack Vance suggests that effective writing is about presenting ideas in an unconventional manner, which can surprise readers and prevent them from taking offense, assuming the ideas are potentially sensitive or challenging. The goal is to engage the reader with fresh perspectives while maintaining a harmonious dialogue, thereby encouraging thought rather than provoking defensiveness. It's a call for originality, subtlety, and tact in the art of storytelling.

"Fantasy, like reality, must have logic of its own—or else it fails."

This quote emphasizes that fantasy, as a form of imaginative expression, should have its own internal rules or logic to create a believable and immersive world for the reader. If a fantasy lacks such consistency and logic, it may confuse or frustrate readers, causing the story to fail in conveying its intended message or effect. Just as reality operates according to established laws of nature and society, so too should a well-crafted work of fantasy maintain its own set of rules that are consistent and coherent throughout the narrative.

"There are no solutions, only trade-offs."

Jack Vance's quote signifies that in many situations, finding a perfect solution is impossible due to conflicting demands or limitations. Instead, one must make a choice between the least unfavorable options, acknowledging that every decision comes with its own set of consequences. It implies a pragmatic approach towards problem-solving, emphasizing the importance of considering the trade-offs before making a decision.

"Adventure isn't hanging off a cliff with ropes; adventure is falling, and deciding along the way where to land."

This quote suggests that true adventure lies not in planning every step meticulously, but rather in embracing uncertainty and finding ways to navigate through it effectively. It's about taking risks, falling down or making mistakes, and then choosing one's path during the journey, rather than sticking to predetermined plans. This perspective encourages resilience, adaptability, and self-discovery as key elements of an adventurous life.

A reader is not supposed to be aware that someone's written the story. He's supposed to be completely immersed, submerged in the environment.

- Jack Vance

Environment, Someone, Aware, Submerged

I thought that automobiles were going to have mufflers and go fast and airplanes were going to fly fast.

- Jack Vance

Fly, Thought, Fast, Airplane

The story was such that I couldn't make a graceful ending and then make a graceful new beginning. I could have, but I didn't want to. So, it isn't the most graceful way of writing a story. This new story is, I think, is pretty good stuff. I'm pleased with it anyway.

- Jack Vance

Good, Beginning, I Think, Graceful

These are just the tip of the iceberg, because I read and read and read. I read everything.

- Jack Vance

Iceberg, Tip, Read, Tip Of The Iceberg

This flattery has been rather slow in coming. I think all of sudden late in life now I'm getting some credit for what I've done. Which is gratifying, but it's kind of a little late.

- Jack Vance

Some, Been, I Think, Gratifying

I don't read other science fiction. I don't read any at all.

- Jack Vance

Other, Fiction, Read, Science Fiction

But Roy Rockwood, it was science fiction for the sake of science fiction.

- Jack Vance

Science, Fiction, Roy, Science Fiction

Sometimes some of these little side excursions are useful and I manage to fit them in the book somewhere.

- Jack Vance

Sometimes, Some, Side, Manage

It seems to limit you; when you're working in an office, you're a creature in a small cell under somebody's supervision and surveillance.

- Jack Vance

Small, Office, Cell, Surveillance

Then there was Clark Ashton Smith, who wrote for Weird Tales and who had a wild imagination. He wasn't a very talented writer, but his imagination was wonderful.

- Jack Vance

Very, Smith, Wrote, Tales

Right now I'm so old that if I had a big gush of money, I don't know what I'd do with it. I don't travel anymore. I don't need anything, don't want anything. I'd give it to my son, I guess, and let him enjoy it.

- Jack Vance

Enjoy, Big, Had, Gush

I haven't sold to the movies. In other words, I haven't gotten any enormous checks yet.

- Jack Vance

Movies, Other, Sold, In Other Words

So I'll write it, and then I'll find out that I actually wrote something that is utterly useless. You can't use it in the story and it doesn't fit. So I just throw it away. I've done that countless times.

- Jack Vance

Out, Away, Use, Countless

I'd never been published when I was young.

- Jack Vance

Never, Young, Been, Published

I was a carpenter for a time and everybody watches what you do.

- Jack Vance

Time, Watches, Everybody, Carpenter

As I mentioned, I was a carpenter for a time.

- Jack Vance

Time, Mentioned, Carpenter

I do read books. I suppose it's more or less the same thing, but at least I'm alone and I'm an individual. I can stop anytime I want, which I frequently do.

- Jack Vance

Individual, Which, Read, Anytime

I got done writing Ports of Call and suddenly realized I have far too much material for the book.

- Jack Vance

Book, Too Much, Realized, Ports

But, for instance, when I was awfully young, I read all the Oz books. They were an enormous influence on me.

- Jack Vance

Young, Instance, Read, Oz

Well, I think everything I've ever read contributes to the background from which I write.

- Jack Vance

Think, I Think, Which, Background

I haven't been to a movie since somebody gave me free tickets to Star Wars, which I went to.

- Jack Vance

Been, Which, Tickets, Star Wars

But I'm so slow on it because I find it terribly hard writing blind on computers. The computer speaks to me, but it's just so slow, I'm so terribly slow using it.

- Jack Vance

Blind, Using, Terribly, Slow

I worked for half a cent a word. I'm not a fast writer to begin with, so for the first few years I had do other things.

- Jack Vance

Other, Had, Half, Cent

I just wrote what I felt like writing since they seemed to sell.

- Jack Vance

Writing, Like, Wrote, Seemed

I never made lots of money at it, but I sold enough.

- Jack Vance

Money, Never, Lots, Sold

But I've sure worked at jobs where I have been under inspection.

- Jack Vance

Been, Sure, Worked, Inspection

There was a writer in the '20s called Christopher Morley, who I remember a little bit of, who had some influence on me, but I couldn't tell you what it was.

- Jack Vance

I Remember, Tell, Some, Christopher

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