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Jonathan Carroll Quotes

Powerful Jonathan Carroll for Daily Growth

About Jonathan Carroll

Jonathan Carroll (born February 15, 1949) is an American fantasy and horror writer whose work combines surrealism, philosophical musings, and intricate plotlines to create a unique literary universe. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Carroll was raised in a Jewish family with strong roots in the entertainment industry. His father was a successful songwriter who penned hits for artists like Elvis Presley and Connie Francis. This artistic background likely influenced Carroll's decision to pursue a career in writing. After graduating from the University of Maryland, College Park, Carroll worked as an editor at Fawcett Publications. However, he soon left this position to focus on his own writing. His debut novel, "The Land Beyond the Sunset," was published in 1976. Carroll's works are known for their dreamlike quality and vividly imagined worlds. His most famous series is the "Sandman's Prey" quartet, which includes "Tower of Living Shadows," "In Calabria," "Bridges of Dreams," and "In This Silent City." These novels follow the character of Niels Kantz, a man who can enter dreams and whose own dreams seem to be haunted by an entity known as the Sandman. Carroll's works have been praised for their originality and depth. His writing often explores themes of identity, memory, and the nature of reality. Despite his cult following, Carroll remains relatively unknown compared to many other fantasy authors. Nevertheless, his influence can be seen in the works of writers like Neil Gaiman and China Miéville. Carroll currently resides in New York City, where he continues to write and publish his unique brand of fantastical fiction. His latest novel, "The Hunger Mysteries," was published in 2021.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life is what happens while we're busy making other plans."

This quote by Jonathan Carroll emphasizes that life often unfolds in unexpected ways, beyond our meticulously crafted plans. It encourages us to be open to the spontaneous moments and experiences life offers, because these unforeseen events, rather than just the planned ones, can contribute significantly to the richness of our lives.

"The past is always haunting us, not because it won't let go but because we don't want to let go of it."

This quote suggests that remnants of our past experiences linger within us, creating an emotional resonance that persists over time. We hold onto memories not necessarily because they burden us, but rather due to their significance in shaping who we are. The past can serve as a source of comfort, inspiration, or even pain; however, it continues to influence our present and future decisions, making it a part of our ongoing narrative. Essentially, the quote underscores that the past is an integral component of our identity, with its echoes lingering in the fabric of our lives.

"We all carry our own private histories, places that only we have been and things that only we know."

This quote highlights the unique, individual experiences each person accumulates throughout their life. Every person's past is distinct due to the places they've visited, people they've met, and events they've encountered, which can't be shared exactly with anyone else. These personal histories shape our perspectives, thoughts, and feelings, making us who we are today. This understanding encourages empathy and respect for others as we recognize the value of their unique stories and experiences.

"There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are others who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other."

This quote suggests that some individuals dwell in an imaginary or fantastical world (a dream world), while others grapple with the hard facts of reality. However, it's also indicating that there is a third group of people who have the ability to take elements from both worlds - dreams and reality - and skillfully blend them into their own unique perspective or creation. In essence, they can transform dreams (ideas, aspirations, imagination) into something tangible or applicable in the real world, thus bridging the gap between fantasy and reality.

"We are like shadows chasing one another through the darkness, seeking something we've lost or never had, and when we catch up with that shadow, it turns out to be ourselves."

This quote suggests that human beings are often on a quest for self-discovery and fulfillment, driven by a sense of loss or lack in our lives. We strive for something (that "we've lost or never had") as we navigate through life, but the true nature of what we seek is ourselves. In essence, it implies that self-realization and understanding are fundamental aspects of the human journey, and in the process of seeking our own truths, we may encounter reflections of ourselves in others or situations, symbolized by the "shadows" chasing each other.

Coffee on an airplane always smells bad. Whenever it is served, suddenly the whole cabin stinks of it.

- Jonathan Carroll

Always, Whenever, Smells, Airplane

In Poland, my audience is all women between 18 and 30. At U.S. conventions, you have the fantasy and science fiction crowd. At Harvard you have an entirely different audience. It's so schizophrenic.

- Jonathan Carroll

Audience, Fantasy, Fiction, Schizophrenic

For an adult, eating alone at McDonald's is admitting a kind of defeat.

- Jonathan Carroll

Alone, Defeat, Admitting, McDonald

I read less of everything now. With only fond memories of others' work, it will be interesting to give my own journal writing a try now.

- Jonathan Carroll

Give, Fond Memories, Read, Journal

Both young children and old people have a lot of time on their hands. That's probably why they get along so well.

- Jonathan Carroll

Time, Hands, Young, Old People

Old people are often impatient, but for what?

- Jonathan Carroll

Old, Impatient, Often, Old People

When I was in college, I was the editor of the literary magazine and insisted neither the editors nor the writers be specifically identified-only our student numbers appeared on the title page. I love that idea and still do.

- Jonathan Carroll

Love, College, Editor, Specifically

People who truly love us can be divided into two categories: those who understand us, and those who forgive us our worst sins. Rarely do you find someone capable of both.

- Jonathan Carroll

Love, Forgive, Divided, Categories

I don't like to have to pan for gold when I read.

- Jonathan Carroll

Gold, Like, Read, Pan

I have never heard anyone say This is it. I know right now is the high point of my life. It will never get any better. Only in retrospect do we recognize the best times and of course then it is too late.

- Jonathan Carroll

Best, My Life, Too Late, High Point

The Wilmington, Delaware, television station that bills itself as The Family Minded Station is Channel 69.

- Jonathan Carroll

Wilmington, Itself, Delaware

Most men, no matter how well or badly dressed, carry overstuffed, beat up wallets that should have been replaced years ago. Why is that? Every time I see a guy take out a wallet anywhere, it looks like a piece of old melted chocolate cake-with strings.

- Jonathan Carroll

Why, Been, Badly, Every Time

The Viennese wash everything. Where else in the world does the government hire public servants to wash public telephone booths and the glass over traffic lights? Every time I see someone doing these things, I smile like a child.

- Jonathan Carroll

Doing, Hire, I See, Traffic

May this house stand until an ant drinks the ocean and a tortoise circles the world.

- Jonathan Carroll

Ocean, World, May, Tortoise

There's almost always a point in a book where something happens that triggers the rest of the plot.

- Jonathan Carroll

Rest, Always, Almost, Triggers

Women are always complaining about men's fascination with breasts. But what if men were absolutely indifferent to breasts? What would women do then with these things that serve one function once or twice in a lifetime, and the rest of the time are just in the way?

- Jonathan Carroll

Complaining, Lifetime, About, Women Are

It took me less than half a lifetime to realize that regret is one of the few guaranteed certainties. Sooner or later everything is touched by it, despite our naive and senseless hope that just this time we will be spared its cold hand on our heart.

- Jonathan Carroll

Regret, Touched, Half, Naive

I find you write with one person in mind. Usually for me that one person is my wife, because she's my most severe critic and understands best what I'm trying to do.

- Jonathan Carroll

Best, Wife, Mind, Severe

One of the saddest realities is that we never know when our lives are at their peak. Only after it is over and we have some kind of perspective do we realize how good we had it a day, a month, five years ago.

- Jonathan Carroll

Some, Had, Our, Realize

Krakow is one of my favorite places on earth. It is a medieval city full of young people. A wonderful, striking combination.

- Jonathan Carroll

City, Young, Medieval, Favorite Places

It's always fun to walk down the street with or behind a really beautiful woman, for no reason other than to see how the world reacts to them.

- Jonathan Carroll

Reason, Behind, Always, No Reason

At a Boston signing, someone from the audience asked why I was so obsessed with furniture in my books. The question rattled around in my head. I had no idea that I was obsessed with furniture.

- Jonathan Carroll

Boston, Audience, Obsessed, No Idea

Salzburg... is a mountain town with a rushing river running right through the center, everything in the rain various shades of green and brown.

- Jonathan Carroll

Rain, Through, Shades, Rushing

I write about what interests me. It's very dangerous when you try to satisfy an audience.

- Jonathan Carroll

Audience, Very, I Write, Interests

You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover's arms can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip.

- Jonathan Carroll

Love, Beginning, Sure, Fields

Just write about what bites you and damn the rest.

- Jonathan Carroll

Rest, Damn, About, Bites

Why do people always gesture with their hands when they talk on the phone?

- Jonathan Carroll

Hands, Why, Always, Phone

Everyone coming out of a perfume store is smelling the back of their hand.

- Jonathan Carroll

Back, Everyone, Store, Perfume

Even the handsomest men do not have the same momentary effect on the world as a truly beautiful woman does.

- Jonathan Carroll

Beautiful, Same, Momentary, Effect

I feel like a cliche.

- Jonathan Carroll

Feel, Like, I Feel, Cliche

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