Marianne Wiggins Quotes

Powerful Marianne Wiggins for Daily Growth

About Marianne Wiggins

Marianne Wiggins is an accomplished American novelist and poet, renowned for her insightful narratives that often explore social and environmental issues. Born on August 18, 1953, in Birmingham, Alabama, Wiggins spent her formative years in the Deep South before moving to New York City as a young adult. Wiggins' literary journey began at Vassar College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1975. She continued her academic pursuits at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, graduating with an MFA in Creative Writing in 1978. It was during this time that Wiggins began to develop her unique literary voice and style. Wiggins' major works include "Evidence of Angels" (1988), a National Book Award finalist that delves into the lives of women during World War II; "Skeleton Man" (1995), a powerful novel about the AIDS crisis in the 1980s; and "The Shadow Catcher" (2003), which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her most recent novel, "Zombocalypsis!: Robert Johnson Lives!" (2017), is a satirical take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Throughout her career, Wiggins has been influenced by a wide range of authors, from Faulkner and Welty to Toni Morrison and Virginia Woolf. Her works are characterized by richly textured prose, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. In addition to her fiction, Wiggins is also a respected poet, with collections such as "The Dark Mirror" (1980) and "Voodoo Dreams" (1983) showcasing her poetic talents. Marianne Wiggins continues to be a significant figure in American literature, using her storytelling abilities to shed light on important social and environmental issues, while also offering readers captivating narratives filled with emotion and insight.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art is the place where we remember we are all human."

This quote by Marianne Wiggins suggests that art serves as a universal connector, reminding us of our shared humanity despite our differences. It implies that through the expression and appreciation of art, people can find common ground, foster empathy, and recognize the fundamental similarities that exist among all humans. Essentially, art is a platform where we can collectively reflect on what it means to be human, transcending borders, cultures, and individual experiences.


"Writing about pain is one way to heal it, if even a little."

This quote suggests that the act of writing about personal pain can serve as a method for healing, offering solace and relief, albeit in a limited capacity. When we put our experiences into words, we process them more deeply, gain a fresh perspective, and potentially find ways to cope or make peace with our feelings. The act of creation and expression through writing can provide emotional release and catharsis, making the burden of pain slightly lighter.


"Storytelling is a way of re-enchanting the world."

The quote by Marianne Wiggins suggests that storytelling serves as a means to infuse magic, wonder, and enchantment back into our everyday experiences. Through stories, we can reshape our perspective on the world, finding beauty, meaning, and mystery where before there seemed only mundanity. Storytelling in this context is a powerful tool for reawakening our sense of awe and connection with the world around us.


"The greatest gift of art is that you can find beauty in places where others see only ugliness."

This quote emphasizes the transformative power of art, suggesting it has the unique ability to reveal and appreciate hidden or overlooked beauty in seemingly ugly or unattractive situations, environments, or experiences. It highlights the subjective nature of perception and encourages us to seek out and appreciate the inherent beauty that may be present but unnoticed by others. This quote also underscores the importance of art as a means of exploring, expressing, and sharing one's unique perspective on life and the world around us.


"Art doesn't have to change the world to be important, but it does have to engage with it honestly."

This quote suggests that art doesn't necessarily need to bring about significant societal changes or reforms to be valuable, but it should truthfully reflect and engage with the world as it is. In other words, art has importance when it authentically grapples with the issues, realities, and complexities of life, rather than merely existing for its own sake or serving as escapism. This approach encourages a deeper understanding and connection between the artist and their audience, fostering empathy, conversation, and potential transformation.


I'm fascinated by the narrative of geology, and I'm a veritable pack rat of a collector on the road. I keep a rock hammer in my car.

- Marianne Wiggins

Hammer, Rat, Narrative, Geology

I don't remember being a child, and that's why I think I'm so child-like now in my unending curiosity and approach to life.

- Marianne Wiggins

Curiosity, Think, I Think, Unending

I take the world very personally. I take history personally; I want to place myself in the larger context.

- Marianne Wiggins

Very, Larger, Take, Context

I was a very, very old child. Sometimes you meet a child who seems more like an adult. I think I was that type of child because I had a nearly fatal kidney disease when I was 9 years old.

- Marianne Wiggins

Think, I Think, Very, Kidney

I write on a visual canvas, 'seeing' a scene in my thoughts before translating it into language, so I'm a visual junkie.

- Marianne Wiggins

Thoughts, Canvas, I Write, Translating

Because music is a language unto itself, when I'm writing, I need silence. I need to hear the music and the rhythms of the words inside my thoughts.

- Marianne Wiggins

Thoughts, Need, Rhythms, Unto

Asking anyone what she or he is reading is a necessary part of conversation, exchanging news. So I take recommendations from friends - and I always pass along a book I've loved.

- Marianne Wiggins

News, Always, Necessary, Exchanging

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