Lincoln Child Quotes

Powerful Lincoln Child for Daily Growth

About Lincoln Child

Lincoln Child, born as Hugh Rechtshaffen on September 14, 1957, is an American author renowned for his riveting thriller novels, particularly those co-authored with Douglas Preston under the pseudonym Preston & Child. Raised in Reading, Pennsylvania, Child developed a love for books at an early age, often finding solace in the local library to escape from the ordinary. After graduating from Yale University in 1979, he worked as a copywriter for several advertising agencies before moving into journalism. His first job was with Rolling Stone magazine in New York City, where he honed his writing skills and gained valuable insights into human nature that would later inform his literary works. In 1983, Child shifted to Newsweek, contributing articles on science, technology, and environmental issues. It was during this period that he began collaborating with Douglas Preston, a fellow writer at the magazine. Their friendship blossomed into a fruitful writing partnership, resulting in the creation of the iconic Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast character. Their debut novel, "Relic," published in 1995, introduced readers to Pendergast and catapulted them both into literary fame. Since then, they have co-authored numerous books, including the bestsellers "Crocodile on the Sandbank," "The Cabinet of Curiosities," and "Fever Dream." In 2005, Child embarked on a solo career with his debut novel, "Deep Storm." Since then, he has authored several standalone thrillers, demonstrating his versatility as an author. Child's work is characterized by intricate plots, rich historical detail, and compelling characters, making him one of the most popular authors in the genre today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Fear is a powerful motivator, but it should never be allowed to rule."

This quote emphasizes the importance of balancing fear with rational thinking and courage. While fear can drive us to action, it should not dominate our decisions and actions to the point where we are paralyzed or unable to think clearly. It encourages individuals to confront their fears, learn from them, but never let them dictate their lives. Instead, they should strive to rule over their fears and live with courage and resilience.


"There's always something waiting behind the door you didn't know was there."

This quote by Lincoln Child suggests that life is full of surprises, often hidden in places we don't expect. It encourages us to keep exploring, moving forward, and opening new doors because we never truly know what we might find or discover next. The 'something' could represent opportunities, experiences, challenges, or even personal growth that enriches our lives in unexpected ways.


"The unknown is an infinite playground for our imagination."

Lincoln Child's quote suggests that the realm of the unknown, which encompasses everything we don't yet understand or know about the world, offers boundless opportunities for our creative minds to explore and imagine possibilities. This 'playground' stimulates curiosity and fuels our capacity to think beyond the confines of what is already known, thus fostering innovation, discovery, and growth.


"The universe has its own way of dealing with things - sometimes in ways that are far more effective than anything we could devise."

This quote suggests that natural forces or cosmic events (the universe) have an inherent wisdom beyond human understanding, and it possesses the power to resolve matters in a way that may surpass our human attempts at problem-solving. It implies trust in the self-correcting nature of the universe and encourages patience, as we may not always understand or control the outcomes of events. The quote also underscores the idea that sometimes, letting things unfold naturally can lead to more effective solutions than our deliberate interventions.


"The most terrifying thing about the darkness, is that it's not just empty space - it's full of things we can't see."

This quote by Lincoln Child suggests that the unknown or unseen aspects of life, particularly in unfamiliar, mysterious, or dark situations, can be more terrifying than empty spaces because they are filled with potential threats, dangers, or hidden secrets we are unaware of. It underscores the human fear of the unknown and highlights the importance of courage, curiosity, and knowledge in overcoming such fears.


My first job out of college was as an editorial assistant in a New York publishing house. Being an editorial assistant is the purgatory would-be editors must endure before they can ascend the ladder and begin acquiring books on their own. I spent a year filing paperwork, writing copy, and typing rejection letters.

- Lincoln Child

College, Before, Ascend, Letters

For me, writing never gets easier. It's always hard work. It doesn't matter how many words you wrote the day before, or how many novels you've completed in the last decade: every day you start fresh again with that same blank page, or that same blank screen.

- Lincoln Child

Decade, Before, Blank, Completed

The funny thing about writing is I think a lot of people assume that you're sitting in a garret with a quill pen for hour after hour.

- Lincoln Child

Think, Funny Thing, I Think, Assume

I try to write about things, places, events, and phenomena I know about personally. That helps make the novels more genuine.

- Lincoln Child

Places, More, About, Phenomena

I can't listen to music while writing - any such distraction would have dreadful consequences.

- Lincoln Child

Music, Distraction, Would, Dreadful

There are some writers I think who love to go around and visit bookstores and just interact.

- Lincoln Child

Love, Think, Some, Visit

Writing on your own is, in a way, a very lonely profession. There's no one there to help you.

- Lincoln Child

Help, Profession, Very, Lonely

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