Therese Fowler Quotes

Powerful Therese Fowler for Daily Growth

About Therese Fowler

Therese Anne Fowler is an American novelist, essayist, and short story writer, known for her insightful narratives that explore complex human relationships and emotions. Born on August 7, 1963, in Greenville, South Carolina, she spent much of her childhood in the Upstate region, where her love for storytelling was nurtured. Fowler earned her Bachelor's degree from Furman University in Greenville and later pursued a Master's degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Her literary journey began during her time at these institutions, where she honed her writing skills under the guidance of esteemed professors. One of Fowler's most critically acclaimed works is "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" (2008), a historical fiction novel that offers a compelling portrait of the enigmatic wife of literary giant F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel was a New York Times bestseller and showcased Fowler's ability to bring complex characters to life, set against a rich historical backdrop. Another significant work is "Reunion" (2015), a contemporary novel that delves into the intricacies of friendship, ambition, and identity. The story revolves around three women who reunite at their alma mater and grapple with personal and professional challenges. Fowler's works are marked by their emotional depth, sharp observations, and profound understanding of human nature. She continues to captivate readers with her evocative stories that resonate deeply with audiences, making her a prominent voice in contemporary American literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Love is a choice, not just a feeling."

This quote by Therese Fowler signifies that love transcends fleeting emotions; it's an active decision to care, nurture, and commit oneself to another person, despite the presence or absence of romantic feelings at any given moment. Love, in this context, is a persistent act of kindness, understanding, and affection, rather than mere infatuation or passion. It underscores that love requires effort, patience, and choice throughout the course of a relationship.


"The past is over. The future is unwritten."

This quote suggests that we should not dwell on the past, as it has already happened and cannot be changed. Instead, we should focus our energy and attention on shaping our future, which remains a blank slate full of possibilities. In essence, the message is to learn from the past but not be defined by it, and to take control of our lives by actively creating our own destiny.


"We are the stories we tell ourselves."

This quote emphasizes that our perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors are largely shaped by the narratives we create about ourselves. In other words, the way we understand our experiences, interact with the world, and even define who we are is influenced by the stories we continuously tell ourselves, consciously or subconsciously. These personal stories can be empowering or limiting, positive or negative, and they play a crucial role in shaping our identity and influencing our actions.


"Sometimes it takes a while to realize that something matters, and sometimes it takes even longer to understand why."

This quote suggests that there are things in life we may initially overlook or underestimate, only to later recognize their importance. It also implies that the reason why certain events, experiences, or relationships matter can become clear over time, sometimes after a significant delay. In essence, it encourages patience and attentiveness in appreciating the significance of life's moments.


"The most important thing in a relationship is to love each other more at the end than you did at the beginning."

This quote by Therese Fowler emphasizes that growth, deepening affection, and sustained love are crucial elements in successful relationships. It suggests that the key measure of a relationship's health lies not only in the initial feelings but more so in the incremental development of love over time. A satisfying relationship should lead to parties involved loving each other more at its conclusion than they did when it first began, reflecting growth, commitment, and mutual respect throughout their journey together.


Predictability is boring! I want a book to take me someplace I haven't been before, show me sights I haven't seen, make me ponder questions I may not have pondered before.

- Therese Fowler

Been, May, Sights, I May Not

The distinctions of what makes a book one genre or another can sometimes be a bit muddy, but generally it's a matter of projecting who the audience will be, which is a judgment that's based on the subject matter. 'Mainstream' is the cleanest label for a book that draws readers of both sexes and from a wide age-range.

- Therese Fowler

Book, Cleanest, Subject, Label

There are as many routes to writing success as there are writers who got there. My advice, however, applies across the board: read widely, learn the craft by whatever means you can - workshops and writing programs are ideal, but even self-study can work - apply what you learn, and persevere.

- Therese Fowler

Advice, However, Persevere, Routes

Conventional wisdom tells us to avoid taking unalterable action while at a low point in life. I have never been conventional.

- Therese Fowler

Been, Point, While, Low Point

At 19, I went to live in the Philippines for three years as a U.S. Air Force 'dependent spouse.' I lived off-base in Angeles City and had to haul water for drinking and cooking.

- Therese Fowler

Drinking, Haul, Angeles, Dependent

As with many teens, my first jobs included babysitting and mopping floors at McDonald's. Since then, I've held jobs a diverse as selling used cars, selling apparel, cosmetics, and real-estate, substitute-teaching six graders, teaching undergraduate creative writing, and working as an editorial assistant for a literary magazine.

- Therese Fowler

Babysitting, Real-Estate, Apparel

I went looking for some preliminary information, and very quickly was struck by the sort of way the surface-level knowledge about Zelda doesn't begin to describe the person that she really is. You know, I had come to the project with the idea that she was, you know, just F. Scott Fitzgerald's crazy, disruptive wife.

- Therese Fowler

Some, Idea, Very, Struck

My stories seem to always in some way explore mistakes and misapprehensions and the possibility of redemption - though that redemption doesn't always occur in expected ways.

- Therese Fowler

Some, Always, Stories, Possibility

Point-of-view is a matter that readers rarely pay attention to, yet it's one of the most important story decisions an author makes.

- Therese Fowler

The Most Important, Author, Point-Of-View

The history of storytelling isn't one of simply entertaining the masses but of also advising, instructing, challenging the status quo.

- Therese Fowler

Storytelling, Entertaining, Status Quo

My husband and I have, in some ways, a non-traditional relationship - especially when it comes to domestic duties. He does most of the cooking, dishes, and laundry, while I do most of the yard work. I love to mow the lawn! And I take great satisfaction in planting and pruning.

- Therese Fowler

Love, Some, Pruning, Planting

I'm among the first girls ever to play Little League baseball, and to my knowledge, the very first in western Illinois. It was 1976, and I was a nine-year-old tomboy whose older brothers had played.

- Therese Fowler

Play, Brothers, Very, Western

It's 2010. I'm forty-three years old. I've just turned in the final draft of what will be my third novel when I decide I want a tattoo. Maybe it's a middle-age thing. Or maybe now that my kids are nearly grown and I have a career in place, I'm finally coming into my own.

- Therese Fowler

Career, Maybe, Turned, Draft

No writing effort is ever wasted. At the very least, it's practice, and a writer never knows when he or she might usefully cannibalize an earlier effort for something new.

- Therese Fowler

Practice, New, Very, He Or She

My creative workday starts with strong breakfast tea and a few minutes of journaling, both of which help me get my head in the story. So much of story-building for me involves immersing myself in the character and situation I'll be working on, just the way an actor does when playing a role.

- Therese Fowler

Strong, Head, Role, Starts

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