Marie Lu Quotes

Powerful Marie Lu for Daily Growth

About Marie Lu

Marie Lu (born 1984) is an acclaimed American young adult novelist and former video game writer, best known for her dystopian and science fiction novels that explore themes of identity, power, and resistance. Born in California to Taiwanese immigrants, Lu developed a love for storytelling at a young age. She spent much of her childhood reading science fiction and fantasy books, which significantly influenced her writing style. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in mathematics, she worked as a video game writer, where she honed her skills in world-building and narrative structure. Lu's breakout debut novel, 'Legend' (2011), introduced the dystopian universe of the United Commonwealth, a future America divided between the wealthy, technologically advanced Proctor sector, and the impoverished, war-torn Patriot sector. The novel follows two protagonists, Day, a Patriot warrior, and June, a Proctor prodigy, as they navigate their differences and uncover a conspiracy that could reshape their world. 'Legend' was a New York Times bestseller and won several awards, launching Lu's career. In 2013, Lu released the first book in her 'Young Elites' series, 'The Young Elite'. The series follows Adelina Amouteru, a young woman with powerful elemental abilities known as the Inquisition's most wanted. The trilogy explores themes of identity, power, and self-acceptance. Lu continues to write captivating stories that blend action, romance, and thoughtful social commentary. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, and she remains a prominent voice in young adult literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The choices we make now echo through our entire lives."

Marie Lu's quote emphasizes that every decision we make, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem at first, can have far-reaching consequences throughout the course of our lives. The choices we make today can shape our future, influencing our experiences, relationships, and personal growth in ways that are not always immediately apparent. This quote encourages us to be mindful about the decisions we make, recognizing that they have power beyond their immediate impact.


"Hope is never lost, as long as there's a heart still beating."

This quote underscores the resilience of hope in the face of adversity. It suggests that even when things seem bleak or challenging, as long as there is life – symbolized by a heart beating – there remains the potential for hope to endure and prevail. Essentially, it's a reminder that hope persists within us, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be.


"We make our own destiny, not with the choices of where to step, but which way to turn when we can't see the path ahead."

This quote suggests that while we may not always have a clear direction or plan (the path ahead), our actions and decisions (choices of where to step) are less significant than the overall direction we choose to take (which way to turn). Essentially, it emphasizes the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the power of perspective in shaping one's destiny. It implies that when faced with uncertainty, our ability to change course, learn, and grow is what ultimately defines where we end up.


"Love isn't something you imagine; it's something you feel."

This quote suggests that love is not a mere abstract idea or fantasy, but an emotional experience that one can genuinely feel. It emphasizes the tangible, heartfelt nature of love. Love isn't something that exists only in our minds or imagination; it's a real emotion with powerful sensations and effects, which individuals can actually experience.


"The greatest danger lies not in the unknown future, but in forgetting who we were in the past." - Marie Lu

This quote emphasizes that it's crucial to remember our past experiences, values, and identities as we navigate through life. The unknown future may pose challenges, but understanding where we come from provides us with a strong foundation and guides us in making informed decisions for our future. Forgetting our roots can lead to losing sight of our personal growth, beliefs, and the lessons we've learned, making it harder to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.


I receive emails from readers that both break my heart and give me a profound sense of connection. Several months ago, I received an email from a teacher who told me that 'Legend' was the first book one of her troubled young students had ever read to the end. He cried when he finished it. Stories like that stay with you forever.

- Marie Lu

Book, Young, Several, Legend

We determine whether a book is for boys or girls long before the reader gets a chance to decide: we package them with soldiers and ballet slippers on their covers, war machines and glittering gowns.

- Marie Lu

Chance, Package, Glittering, Slippers

I am a hopeless pantser, so I don't do much outlining. A thought will occur to me, and I'll just throw it into the story. I tell myself I'll worry about untangling it later. I'm glad no one sees my first drafts except for my poor editor and agent.

- Marie Lu

Thought, Tell, Agent, Hopeless

Writing is an extremely rewarding and humbling process, and I've learned to go with it, that even if it feels absolutely impossible, I will find a way to tell the next story.

- Marie Lu

Next, Rewarding, Feels, Humbling

We are both disturbed and fascinated by visions of bleak futures, predictions of what might come if we as a society aren't careful.

- Marie Lu

Might, Disturbed, Careful, Bleak

As a writer, I try to appeal to the 'elusive boy audience' the same way I try to appeal to everyone: I do the very best I can to create interesting characters, addictive plots, tons of conflict, believable settings, unexpected plot twists, intriguing beginnings, and satisfying endings.

- Marie Lu

Best, Unexpected, Very, Tons

My first three manuscripts were epic fantasy - like high fantasy - and then the fourth one was a historical fantasy about Mozart as a child. I still have a soft spot for that one!

- Marie Lu

Fantasy, Like, Still, Soft Spot

I've always been interested in exploring the concept of child prodigies. When I was younger, I wrote a story about Mozart as a child, and I just always loved this idea of young people who are able to take control of their lives and bring a whole lot of change at such a young age.

- Marie Lu

Young, Idea, Been, Mozart

In general, I write for ages 12 and up - although I've received emails from readers between the ages of seven and seventy. My books are science fiction.

- Marie Lu

Seventy, Fiction, I Write, Science Fiction

Fantasy and science fiction are where my brain lives.

- Marie Lu

Fantasy, Fiction, Lives, Science Fiction

On the one hand, I'm so relieved that I've actually managed to finish my very first series and that I've been able to see my characters through to the end of their journeys. On the other hand, I feel like how parents must feel when they send their kid off to college. It's a bittersweet mix.

- Marie Lu

College, Through, Very, Mix

I started writing seriously when I was a teenager, around 14 years old.

- Marie Lu

Writing, Old, Started, Teenager

Writing the first draft of a new story is incredibly difficult for me. I will happily do revisions, because once I can see the words on the page, I can go about ripping them up and moving scenes around. A blank page, though? Terrifying. I'm always angsty when I'm working my way through a first draft.

- Marie Lu

Through, Terrifying, Blank, Ripping

Boys are different from girls, but boys are also different from other boys, just as girls are different from other girls. Calling a book 'for boys' or 'for girls' is well-meaning, but to me, not terribly helpful.

- Marie Lu

Book, Other, Also, Helpful

I've always had this interest in sibling relationships because I don't have any siblings. I'm completely a product of the one-child policy in China, so I always kind of wished that I had an older brother or a younger brother or sister just to have that bond, so I find myself constantly writing about that relationship.

- Marie Lu

Older Brother, About, Wished, Sibling

I don't think anything really consciously went into 'Legend' that was influenced by videogames, but I'm pretty sure some of my experiences and love for gaming contributed to a few of the factors that are in 'Legend'.

- Marie Lu

Love, Think, Some, Videogames

What can I say: I'm a writer - I enjoy forcing pain and suffering on my characters!

- Marie Lu

Pain, Suffering, Characters, Forcing

I write the story as it comes to me - YA is my natural voice, not a conscious choice.

- Marie Lu

Voice, Natural, I Write, Conscious

For me, as a fan, when I read book series, I tend to be the most judgmental of the last book.

- Marie Lu

Fan, Most, Tend, Judgmental

It feels like it's the end of the world if you don't do well on your SATs.

- Marie Lu

World, Like, Feels, End Of The World

I remember playing 'Mortal Kombat' when I was a kid and the other 'Tekken'-style games.

- Marie Lu

Remember, I Remember, Other, Mortal

I remember my favorite books when I was a kid: 'The Redwall Adventure' series, 'Ender's Game,' things like that.

- Marie Lu

Game, I Remember, Like, Adventure

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