Jonathan Evison Quotes

Powerful Jonathan Evison for Daily Growth

About Jonathan Evison

Jonathan Evison, a celebrated American novelist and short-story writer, was born on February 14, 1975, in the small coastal town of Port Townsend, Washington. Growing up amidst the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest left an indelible mark on his writing, as he often draws inspiration from the region's unique landscapes and communities. Evison earned a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing from Western Washington University and continued his education at the University of Montana, where he was awarded an MFA in Fiction Writing. Before turning to full-time writing, Evison worked as a bookseller, bartender, and dishwasher – experiences that fueled his deep appreciation for literature and storytelling. His debut novel, "West of Here" (2011), was met with critical acclaim and garnered comparisons to John Steinbeck's "East of Eden." The book tells the interconnected stories of residents in a Washington coastal town over several generations. In 2013, Evison published "The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving," a poignant tale about a man caring for a terminally ill teenager that was later adapted into a motion picture starring Paul Rudd and Selena Gomez. Evison's third novel, "Brave New World +100" (2016), is a reimagining of Aldous Huxley's classic dystopian novel, set in a futuristic world where technology has taken control. His latest work, "Lawn Boy" (2021), explores themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery through the eyes of a gay lawn boy who unexpectedly becomes an overnight sensation when he starts creating viral videos. Evison's works often feature diverse and complex characters navigating contemporary issues while maintaining a sense of hope and empathy. He is praised for his engaging storytelling, vivid prose, and insightful observations about modern life. When not writing, Evison lives with his family in Olympia, Washington, where he continues to create compelling narratives that resonate with readers across the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The heart is a powerful muscle. It keeps on beating no matter how much we hurt it."

This quote underscores resilience and the strength of the human spirit. Despite experiencing pain, our hearts - symbolizing our emotional core - continue to beat, demonstrating an unyielding capacity for love, hope, and life. It suggests that we must endure hardships as they inevitably come our way, but our ability to persevere, heal, and move forward is what makes us truly strong.

"We tell ourselves stories in order to live."

This quote by Jonathan Evison suggests that storytelling is a fundamental human need and activity, serving as a means through which we make sense of our experiences, give shape and meaning to our lives, and ultimately, find ways to cope with and navigate the complexities of existence. By creating narratives, we imbue our lives with purpose and create a cohesive understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Essentially, storytelling is an essential tool that allows us to live more fully and meaningfully.

"Love is the bridge between you and your crazy."

This quote suggests that love serves as a connection or bond between two individuals, even when one or both exhibit unconventional or challenging behaviors (often referred to as "crazy"). It implies that despite personal differences, love can help navigate through the complexities of relationships, fostering understanding, acceptance, and perseverance. In essence, love provides a foundation for growth and resilience in the face of life's quirks and imperfections.

"Sometimes, the things that make us feel the most alone are the very things that connect us all."

This quote emphasizes the shared human experiences that often make us feel isolated but, in reality, bring us together. It suggests that certain emotional ordeals, difficulties, or peculiarities, which may seem unique to individuals, are in fact common among many people. The feeling of loneliness and isolation can therefore be a unifying factor, reminding us of our collective humanity and interconnectedness.

"Life isn't about finding yourself; it's about creating yourself."

This quote suggests that self-discovery is not a passive process of uncovering one's inherent identity, but an active pursuit of shaping and defining oneself through experiences, choices, and personal growth. It encourages individuals to actively create their own lives, identities, and destinies rather than passively accepting what life hands them. This perspective highlights the importance of self-determination, self-expression, and continuous personal development in living a fulfilling life.

I really believe in challenging myself, pushing myself to new places.

- Jonathan Evison

New, Places, New Places, Pushing

I grew up in the Bay Area until 1976, then I pretty much went all the way through primary and high school on Bainbridge, though like anybody who grows up on an island, I ran the first chance I got.

- Jonathan Evison

Bay Area, Through, Anybody, Bay

I usually write in my underwear, with a space heater running full blast, and three dogs sleeping at me feet.

- Jonathan Evison

Space, Feet, Three, Underwear

There are holes in our lives that can never be filled - not really, not ever.

- Jonathan Evison

Never, Ever, Lives, Holes

When I started caregiving, I was not on very firm ground. My first marriage had dissolved. I was working at an ice-cream stand in my thirties. I learned that when you don't have anything to give, that's when you really give, and then you get back so much more.

- Jonathan Evison

Back, Very, Had, Ice-Cream

My parents divorced after 25 years of marriage.

- Jonathan Evison

Marriage, Years, After, Divorced

After 20 years of writing in basically a vacuum, I love being part of a community. I've vetted other writers' contracts for them and do publicity for free just because I like a book. Some people think of it as hubris or careerism, but I love to champion books. You can't use your whole sphere of influence just to help yourself.

- Jonathan Evison

Love, Some, Other, Sphere

Maybe a theme that touches all of my work is people reinventing themselves.

- Jonathan Evison

Work, Themselves, Maybe, Reinventing

The jocks that used to stuff me into a locker when I was a punk rocker are my best buddies now.

- Jonathan Evison

Best, Used, Rocker, Buddies

I discovered John Fante when I was 17 years old - strangely, not through Charles Bukowski, but through William Saroyan, who was his drinking buddy.

- Jonathan Evison

Old, Through, Discovered, Strangely

For me, an ideal novel is a dialogue between writer and reader, both a collaborative experience and an intimate exchange of emotions and ideas. The reader just might be the most powerful tool in a writer's arsenal.

- Jonathan Evison

Emotions, Ideal, Reader, Arsenal

Limited points of view let the writer dispense - and the reader gather - information from various corners of the story. It all becomes a kind of dance, with the writer guiding the reader through the various twists and turns. The challenge is keeping readers in step, while still managing to surprise.

- Jonathan Evison

Through, Reader, Guiding, Dispense

I never wanted to be anything but a writer, and I never let go of it.

- Jonathan Evison

Never, Go, Wanted, Let Go

I'm not in the business of meddling with people's destinies - and yes, my characters are real people to me. They have histories and thoughts and yearnings and hurts and misgivings and pleasures that don't belong to me.

- Jonathan Evison

Thoughts, Real People, Histories

So often when we historicize material, we use this big wide-angle lens.

- Jonathan Evison

Big, Use, Material, Lens

Too many writers of fiction don't give the reader enough credit.

- Jonathan Evison

Give, Fiction, Too, Credit

I write as a matter of need - seven books and God knows how many short stories before anyone published me.

- Jonathan Evison

Need, Stories, I Write, Published

I just need to believe that we're not in some form of stasis, that we can try to be whoever we want to be. We probably won't get there, but we might get a little bit closer, you know?

- Jonathan Evison

Need, Some, Might, Closer

I love being a struggling artist; it makes me feel very alive.

- Jonathan Evison

Love, Very, I Love, Struggling

You have to find hope. Hope is such a shape shifter. You tend to look in the rearview mirror for hope, but when it's gone, you have to look forward. You have to get in the van and keep driving on.

- Jonathan Evison

Mirror, Shape, Van, Rearview

As a result of manifest destiny, we gutted our resources.

- Jonathan Evison

Destiny, Result, Resources, Manifest

Most everything that happens to me in any significant sense finds its way into my fiction.

- Jonathan Evison

Fiction, Most, Finds, Happens

In writing, I've found, playing it safe and familiar is no way to energize anybody.

- Jonathan Evison

Writing, Found, Anybody, Familiar

I'm a DIY kinda guy.

- Jonathan Evison

Guy, Kinda

There're so many great writers out there who aren't getting the exposure they deserve.

- Jonathan Evison

Deserve, Getting, Writers, Exposure

I've been blessed with an optimistic disposition, I think.

- Jonathan Evison

Think, Been, Optimistic, Blessed

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