Jane Yolen Quotes

Powerful Jane Yolen for Daily Growth

About Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen, a prolific and versatile American author, was born on February 11, 1939, in New York City. Growing up in the literary atmosphere of her family - her father was a writer, poet, and publisher - it's no surprise that she developed a love for storytelling at an early age. After graduating from Smith College with a BA in English in 1960, Yolen embarked on a journey to weave tales that would captivate readers worldwide. She earned her MA in Folklore and Mythology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1972, further enriching her storytelling abilities. Jane Yolen's works span across various genres, including children's literature, young adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, poetry, and non-fiction. Her writing is known for its blend of folklore, mythology, and contemporary themes. Some of her most renowned works include "The Devil's Arithmetic" (1988), a Holocaust-themed time-travel novel; the award-winning "Owl Moon" (1987); and the popular series "Cinderella" (2000), which offers retellings of this classic fairy tale from different perspectives. Throughout her career, Yolen has been recognized with numerous accolades, including three Nebula Awards, two Hugo Awards, a Caldecott Medal, and six Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards. Her contributions to children's literature are immeasurable, and she continues to inspire new generations of writers with her work. Yolen's quotes reflect her deep love for storytelling and the power of words: "A short story is a little novel trying to be under 30 pages long; it never can quite succeed" and "Words are silver, they become gold in the mouths of children." These insights into her creative process underscore the lasting impact of her work on readers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"One child, one teen, one lover, one parent, one worker, one dreamer to make a better world: that is how revolutions start."

This quote highlights the power of individual actions in initiating change or revolution. Each person, regardless of age or role, can contribute to creating a better world. The "one child," for example, could be an agent of positive change within their family or community; a "teen" could inspire others through their activism; a "lover" might foster understanding and peace; a "parent" could instill values that positively impact future generations; a "worker" could use their skills to address social issues; and a "dreamer" could provide the vision and passion needed for sustainable change. Essentially, Jane Yolen is saying that if each person focuses on bettering themselves and making a positive impact within their sphere of influence, it can start a chain reaction leading to revolutionary changes in society.


"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us that we live among them, hidden in the folds of our everyday lives."

Jane Yolen's quote suggests that fairy tales go beyond mere fiction by resonating with real-life experiences and emotions. The "dragons" and magical elements in these stories are symbolic representations of the challenges, struggles, and transformative moments we encounter daily, often disguised or hidden within our ordinary lives. In other words, life itself can be as enchanting, complex, and potentially terrifying as any fairy tale if we choose to see it through a magical lens. The quote invites us to appreciate the magic in our everyday experiences and recognize the profoundness of our own lives.


"Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own."

This quote by Jane Yolen emphasizes that once words are written down and published, they take on a life independent of their author. They can be read, interpreted, and used in ways the author may never have intended or imagined. Words, thus, carry immense power to inspire, educate, and even transform society, long after the author has moved on to other works.


"Write whatever comes to mind, and then do something to it."

Jane Yolen's quote emphasizes the importance of freeing one's creativity and allowing ideas to flow freely in the writing process, but also recognizes that this initial draft may not be perfect and encourages revision or improvement. In other words, write without inhibition or fear of judgment, then take a critical look at your work and make it better.


"Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality."

Jane Yolen's quote emphasizes the power of imagination, suggesting it as a tool to combat or navigate the challenges and constraints imposed by reality. Imagination allows us to envision alternative possibilities, creating a space for exploration, innovation, and freedom beyond the confines of everyday existence. By harnessing our imagination, we can challenge perceived limitations, foster creativity, and shape our own experiences in meaningful ways.


When you realize my best selling books are 'Owl Moon,' the 'How Do Dinosaur' books, and 'Devil's Arithmetic,' how can the public make sense of that! I have fans who think I only write picture books or only write SF and fantasy. I have fanatics of my poetry and are stunned to find out I write prose, too!

- Jane Yolen

Owl, Devil, I Write, SF

In college, I wrote newspaper articles and songs. Then, on my 21st birthday, I sold my first book. It was a nonfiction book about women pirates - 'Pirates in Petticoats.' After that, I was a book writer for good.

- Jane Yolen

Birthday, College, Newspaper, Nonfiction

While I was in junior high, I wrote an entire essay in rhyme about manufacturing in New York State. In high school, I won a Scholastic poetry contest.

- Jane Yolen

New, Contest, Wrote, Essay

I write to satisfy the story or poem or piece of fascinating research that speaks to me. To rub a sore, to resonate with joy, to answer a question no one else has satisfactorily answered for me.

- Jane Yolen

Question, I Write, Answered, Sore

I read everything aloud, novels as well as picture books. I believe the eye and ear are different listeners. So as writers, we have to please both.

- Jane Yolen

Please, Read, Listeners, Novels

It seems like I've been writing since birth! I started writing poems before I got to school. I wrote the class musical in first grade - both words and music. It was about a bunch of vegetables who got together in a salad. I played the chief carrot!

- Jane Yolen

Salad, Been, Before, First Grade

My beloved husband goes through radiation, and a book of sonnets is my passionate response. And then after he dies, I write another book of poems as a farewell. The two keywords here are passion and joy. I simply have a passion for writing, and I do it with joy.

- Jane Yolen

Passionate, Through, Here, Beloved

Don't let anyone discourage you from writing. If you become a professional writer, there are plenty of editors, reviewers, critics, and book buyers to do that.

- Jane Yolen

Book, Discourage, Buyers, Editors

Myths are stories that explain a natural phenomenon. Before humans found scientific explanations for such things as the moon and the sun and rainbows, they tried to understand them by telling stories.

- Jane Yolen

Explain, Stories, Telling, Rainbows

My youngest son becomes an award-winning nature photographer, and I cannot resist writing poems to his pictures. My daughter loves to cook, though I do not. Yet together, we write a cookbook with fairy tales. And now a second.

- Jane Yolen

Pictures, Youngest, Second, Tales

I think picture books should stretch children. I think they should be full of wonderful, amazing words.

- Jane Yolen

Words, Think, I Think, Picture Books

If a parent wants to talk about slavery or wants to talk about countries where bombs go off, they need to have a way - a setting - to have that conversation. And there are wonderful books out there for those kinds of conversations.

- Jane Yolen

Parent, Need, About, Conversation

If you give up at the first rejection or the first bad review, you will never make it in publishing.

- Jane Yolen

Give, Bad, Will, Review

Don't ever write just for a trend or fad, because it's a moving target, and by the time you get your work out there, the trend or fad is gone. Dig deep; don't be afraid to write fiercely. Expose your heart.

- Jane Yolen

Deep, Dig, By The Time, Fiercely

I began as a journalist for my pocketbook and a poet for my soul.

- Jane Yolen

My Soul, Journalist, Began, Pocketbook

Read something of interest every day - something of interest to you, not to your teacher or your best friend or your minister/rabbi/priest. Comics count. So does poetry. So do editorials in your school newspaper. Or a biography of a rock star. Or an instructional manual. Or the Bible.

- Jane Yolen

Rock Star, Newspaper, Comics, Manual

Write every day. You don't have to write about anything specific, but you should exercise your writing muscle constantly.

- Jane Yolen

Exercise, Every Day, About, Muscle

Why am I working so hard? Going for 400 books, perhaps, but who's really counting?

- Jane Yolen

Why, Going, Am, Counting

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